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Sweet osmanthus

How to identify Sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans)

Sweet osmanthus, also known as Fragrant olive

Sweet osmanthus is an evergreen shrub or small tree, reaching heights of 10 feet (3 meters) tall and 12 feet (3.7 meters) wide. Its oval leaves, glossy and ranging from 2 1/2 to 4 inches (6.4 to 10.2 cm) long, emerge bronze and mature to green with slightly serrated edges. Notable are the highly fragrant, cream-white, 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) wide flowers that bloom intermittently year-round, with a peak in spring and summer. The plant displays a dense growth habit and requires a growing environment away from hot, dry winds, thriving in temperatures down to 15 to 20°F (-9 to -6°C).

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Tree, Shrub

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Sweet osmanthus

1

Evergreen shrub or small tree, 10 feet (3 meters) tall with glossy oval leaves.

2

Highly fragrant, cream-white flowers, 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) wide, blooming year-round.

3

Distinctive purple-black drupe fruits, 0.5-1 inch (1.27-2.54 cm) in diameter with velvety texture.

4

Dark green, leathery leaves, 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) long, opposite and elliptic in shape.

5

Fruit evokes apricot scent, flowers symmetrically arranged in cymes forming clusters in leaf axils.

Sweet osmanthusSweet osmanthusSweet osmanthusSweet osmanthusSweet osmanthus

Detailed Traits of Sweet osmanthus

Leaf Features

The leaves of sweet osmanthus are opposite, simple, and leathery, with a lustrous dark green color. They are glabrous and elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate in shape, measuring 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) long. The edges can be finely dentate or entire. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem, providing an elegant symmetry. These distinctive features contribute to sweet osmanthus's striking appearance and ease of identification.

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Leaf Margin

Entire

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Flower Features

The flowers of sweet osmanthus are small, white, and highly fragrant, evoking the scent of ripe apricots. They appear in early spring and again in the fall, forming in cymes that cluster in the leaf axils. Each flower measures about 0.2 inches (5 mm) across. The petals are arranged symmetrically, contributing to the plant's distinctive and recognizable aroma.

Sweet osmanthus Flower image
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Fruit Features

The fruit of sweet osmanthus is a distinctive, purple-black drupe that presents itself with a lush, velvety texture. Measuring approximately 0.5 to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 cm) in diameter, these small, rounded fruits bear a flesh that encases a single hard seed. Its surface may exhibit a subtle sheen, hinting at the sweet, edible interior that matures under the warmth of late summer through fall. While the fruity offerings of sweet osmanthus are not widely cultivated for consumption, their visual allure and mature coloration provide ornamental value.

Sweet osmanthus Fruit image
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Key Facts About Sweet osmanthus

Attributes of Sweet osmanthus
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Tree, Shrub
Plant Height
3 m to 18 m
Spread
3 m to 4 m
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
2.5 cm
Flower Color
White
Orange
Fruit Color
Black
Blue
Leaf type
Evergreen
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Scientific Classification of Sweet osmanthus

Family
Olive
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Species
Sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans)
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Distribution Map of Sweet osmanthus

The sweet osmanthus is considered native to Southeast, and it has been introduced to Korea. In China, it has been cultivated for over 2,000 years for ornamental use as a street tree but is common in forests. It is planted as a large specimen or a shrub in Asian countries,
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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