A modern reference to temperate woody plants, including updated content from this site and much new material, can be found at Trees and Shrubs Online.

Phillyrea

Family

Oleaceae

A group of evergreen shrubs or small trees, natives of the Mediterranean region. They are nearly related to Osmanthus, and have opposite leaves, toothed or entire, and small white or greenish flowers borne in clusters in the leaf-axils of the previous year’s growths. Calyx and corolla four-lobed; stamens two. Fruit a roundish oval, mostly one-seeded drupe.

They are all easily cultivated, and thrive in any soil that is of average quality. They bear clipping well, and cuttings made of the current season’s wood in July take root readily.


Footnotes

Revised by P. S. Green of the Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Species articles