American Olive Cartrema americana
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Osmanthus americanus
- Phonetic Spelling
- kar-tray-mah a-mer-ih-KAY-na
- Description
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Devilwood is a small, evergreen shrub or tree with a narrow, oblong crown, 15 to 20 feet tall, and sometimes reaching 50 feet. The leaves, which last year round, are opposite with a smooth to slightly wavy margin and rusty colored underside. The bark is gray-brown and finely scaly. In spring, small, urn-shaped, fragrant white flowers mature on the previous year's growth. The small tree produces a dark blue drupe that matures in the fall. This tree is uncommon in nature, but can be found in maritime forests and rich soil on the coastlines of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. It is also found in inland sandy forests. This plant is dioecious; that is, male pollinator plants are required to get a female fruit set.
Devilwood tolerates a range of soil conditions as well as wind. It prefers partial shade and moist, well drained soil. It takes well to pruning and can be shaped as desired.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cartrema
- Species:
- americana
- Family:
- Oleaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The wood of this tree is heavy and strong, but can be difficult to work. The common name Devilwood refers to the toughness and unsplittable nature of the wood.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Layering
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America, Mexico, and Honduras
- Distribution:
- Florida and Louisiana north to Virginia and west to Texas.
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Provides cover during the winter and extreme weather. Fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Irregular
- Multi-trunked
- Open
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- This plant produces a dark blue drupe that hangs like an olive and matures in the fall. Displays in late summer and fall between August and October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Urn
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- In the spring, small, urn-shaped, white flowers mature on the previous years growth of the Devilwood. Flowers bloom April-May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The thick and leathery leaves of the Devilwood are 2 to 4.5 inches., opposite, simple and dark green, entire, with a smooth to slightly wavy margin, and a rusty colored underside. If grown in the sun, the leaves turn a yellow-green in the fall.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is gray-brown with warty lenticels.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Wind
