Leaves are oval or elliptical, two inches long, and opposite.
Chinese privet is distinguished from other privets by the presence of fine hairs on the twigs and underside of leaves. Small, white, four-petaled flowers grow in panicles at the ends of branches. The fleshy blue fruits, less than a quarter-inch in diameter, contain a hard seed. Several other privet species have been introduced into Virginia, but none have proven as invasive as Chinese privet. Habitat Chinese privet prefers wet damp habitat.