Wild Olive Cartrema americana
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Wild Olive:
Previously known as:
- Amarolea americana
- Osmanthus americanus
- Osmanthus mexicanus
- Phonetic Spelling
- kar-TREH-mah a-mer-ih-KAY-na
- Description
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Wild olive is an evergreen, perennial shrub or small tree in the olive family (Oleaceae). It is found in maritime and inland forests of the southeastern US (including North Carolina), as well as Mexico and Central America. The genus name is compounded from Greek words meaning “perforate nut” and refers to a hollowed depression in the endocarp. The species epithet indicates its origin in North America.
Wild olive tolerates a range of soil conditions as long as the soil is moist and well-drained. It prefers partial shade but tolerates sunnier positions if moisture is present. It takes pruning well and can be shaped as desired. When pruning, keep in mind that next season's blossoms will appear on old (this season’s) growth, so pruning may diminish next year’s floral display. It is tolerant of wind.
Wild olive is found in hammocks and inland sandy forests. It forms a shrub or small tree with gray-brown and finely scaly bark and opposite, smooth, elliptical leaves. In spring, small, fragrant, white flowers with tubular corollas and reflexed lobes are produced on the previous year's growth. Flowers are followed by dark blue drupes that mature in the fall. This plant is dioecious. Consequently, a male pollinizer plant is required to get fruit set on a female plant. The fruits are consumed by various animals, which disperse the seeds.
Wild olive makes a sturdy addition to a native or pollinator garden. It is suitable for a winter garden or a lightly shaded garden.
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:
- Southeastern 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.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- 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
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- 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:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- In the spring, small, tubular, white flowers with reflexed lobes mature on the previous year's growth. The flowers bloom April-May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- 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 wild olive are 2 to 4.5 inches, opposite, simple and dark green, entire, with a smooth margin. If grown in the sun, the leaves turn 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
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Wind
