

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).
Evergreen shrub or small tree, 10 feet (3 meters) tall with glossy oval leaves.
Highly fragrant, cream-white flowers, 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) wide, blooming year-round.
Distinctive purple-black drupe fruits, 0.5-1 inch (1.27-2.54 cm) in diameter with velvety texture.
Dark green, leathery leaves, 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) long, opposite and elliptic in shape.
Fruit evokes apricot scent, flowers symmetrically arranged in cymes forming clusters in leaf axils.
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.
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.
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.
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Scientific Classification of Sweet osmanthus