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Native Plant Database

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Osmanthus americanus (Devilwood)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Osmanthus americanus (L.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex Gray

Devilwood, Wild olive

Oleaceae (Olive Family)

USDA Symbol: OSAM

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Evergreen shrub or small tree with narrow, oblong crown of paired, glossy, leathery leaves, and with dark blue fruit like small olives. Devilwood or wild olive is an irregularly rounded and open shrub or small tree to 30 ft. with an equal spread. Its long, evergreen leaves are light green and leathery. The small, creamy-white flowers are extremely fragrant and are followed by blue-black fruit which resembles small cherries.

Devilwood was so named because the fine-textured wood is difficult to split and work. The fruit resembles the cultivated Olive in the same family. The genus name, Osmanthus, from the Greek words for odor and flower, refers to the fragrant blossoms.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Fruit:
Size Class: 12-36 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , TX , VA
Native Distribution: Coastal Plain from extreme s.e. VA to FL, w. to LA
Native Habitat: Rich woods; swamps
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Rich, moist, well-drained soil.
Conditions Comments: Wild olive can be liberally pruned to maintain shape.

Propagation

Description: Wild olive may be rooted from late winter cuttings using a hormone or increased by division of shoots.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Osmanthus americanus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Osmanthus americanus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Osmanthus americanus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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