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Characteristics
 Family-
Oleaceae--The Olive Family
- Origin
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Native NC
- Plant Description
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Evergreen tree
- Coastal Ecology
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Other broadleaf evergreen plants with simple leaves are often mistaken for the Bays. One of these is Osmanthus americanus, called Devilwood because its wood is so "devilishly hard" to split. Another common name is Wild -olive, as it is closely related to the olive tree of commerce. Devilwood is a small tree or shrub with distinctive, light gray to silvery bark. It grows in dry to moist habitats along the dunes and in the maritime forest. Leaves of Devilwood are simple, elliptical in shape with entire margins, and similar to the Bays. But the leaves are opposite each other in arrangement on the twig, with two leaves at each node, different from the other alternate-leaved Bays. The flowers of Devilwood are tiny and white with a lovely fragrance. Coastal gardeners probably know the Tea olive, Osmanthus fragrans, an Asian plant long grown for its beautifully fragrant flowers. Osmanthus americanus is the only native American species of this ornamental genus. The fruits of Devilwood are small, green turning to black, olive-like berries on a short stalk.
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