Devilwood (Osmanthus americanus)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Scrophulariales>Oleaceae>Osmanthus americanus (L.) Bentham & Hooker f. ex Gray

Devilwood (Osmanthus americanus) flowers

An uncommon small tree of maritime forests along the coast of North Carolina. In the southeastern corner of NC and further south it also occurs inland.

The evergreen opposite leaves are thick and leathery, with entire margins.

The name Devilwood refers to the toughness and unsplittable nature of the wood. Also known as Wild Olive.

Carteret Co., NC 4/14/07.

Devilwood (Osmanthus americanus) flowers

Small white flowers appear in early spring, from late March to mid-April.

Carteret Co., NC 4/14/07.

Devilwood (Osmanthus americanus) flowers

Carteret Co., NC 4/14/07.

Devilwood (Osmanthus americanus) bark

Bark of a mature tree. The bark is smooth, with warty lenticels.

Dare Co., NC 3/24/02.

More information:
Floridata
Louisiana Ecosystems
Trees of the Maritime Forest
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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Revised 6/4/08 cwcook@duke.edu

All photographs and text ©2008 by Will Cook unless otherwise indicated.