Ligustrum obtusifolium

Semi-evergreen shrub growing to 10' with deep green leaves turning red to purple in the fall.  Capable of forming dense thickets. The white flowers appear on the plant in June and are unpleasantly scented.  Fruit appear on the plant in September and persist on the branches into the winter.  Birds and other wildlife eat the fruit and disperse seeds. "Getting into more pristine or high quality forests. By far the most commonly naturalized privet in New York and invasive." [NYFA Atlas, see link to right]