Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: By Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA - Devilwood, CC BY 2.0

Nomenclature

Common Name:

wild olive, American devilwood

Synonym(s):

Osmanthus americanus

Genus species:

Cartrema americanum

Family:

Oleaceae

Plant Specifics

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:

Showy Flowers, Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Evergreen screen, evergreen shrub to small tree.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Seed, layering

Light:

Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

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

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Birds, Mammals

Attracts bees.

Larger birds and small mammals eat the fruit.

Native Habitats:

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

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Fruit is edible

General Comments:

Fragrant.