Privet
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Privet. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
a genus of plants of the natural order Oleaceæ, containing a number of species of shrubs and small trees with opposite leaves, which are simple and entire at the marprivet (L. vulgare) is a shrub growing in bushy places and about the borders of woods in the middle and S. of Europe, and in some parts of Great Britain, now also naturalized in some parts of North America. It has half-evergreen, smooth, lanceolate leaves; and berries about the size of peas, black, rarely white, yellow, or green. The flowers have a strong and sweetish smell; the leaves are mildly astringent, and were formerly used in medicine. The berries, which hang on the shrub during winter, have a disagreeable taste, but serve as food for many kinds of birds; they are used for dyeing red, and, with various additions, green, blue, and black. A rose-colored pigment obtained from them is used for coloring maps. The wood is hard, and is used by turners, and by shoemakers for making wooden pegs.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
priv'et, a genus of shrubs belonging to the olive family. There are about thirty-five species native to the Mediterranean region and farther Asia. The common privet is much used for hedges. It is an erect, handsome shrub that bears trimming well, and thrives in exposed, dry situations or in the shade and under the dripping of buildings equally well. The leaves are of a handsome green. The flowers are white and fragrant. Privet retains its black berries during the winter. A pink dye is made from them. The wood of some of the larger species makes excellent shoe pegs. Privet hedges are common in England. The common privet is hardy in the northern part of the United States . Other species are confined to the Southern and Middle States.