Wild privet is a branched shrub, found on chalky soils and garden privet is a popular hedge plant. The wild species has narrow, pointed, smooth leaves that are bright green and shiny when young and become darker and dull as they mature. Those of the garden privet are shorter, rarely more than 3cm long and are more oval in shape with small white flowers with a tubular base and a sweetish smell, black berries appear in the autumn. Most cases of poisoning involve garden trimmings.