Common Name:

wild olive, American devilwood

Synonym(s):

Osmanthus americanus

Genus species:

Cartrema americanum

Family:

Oleaceae

Form:

shrub

Size:

8-15 (50) ft tall by 5-10 ft wide

Life Span:

long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

black

Phenology:

evergreen

Noted For:

Recommended Uses:

Evergreen screen, evergreen shrub to small tree.

Considerations:

Availability:

Propagation:

Seed, layering

Light:

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray would be uncommon (major storms).

Soil or Other Substrate:

Loam, Sand

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

8A, 8B, 9A, 9B

Wildlife:

Larger birds and small mammals eat the fruit.

Attracts bees

Native Habitats:

Moist sites. Coastal hammocks, floodplains, bulffs, flatwoods, bay swamps.

Natural Range in Florida:

Visit the USF Libraries Atlas of Florida Plants

Ethnobotany:

Fruit is edible.

General Comments:

Fragrant