Osmanthus
(from osme, perfume, and anthos, a flower; in allusion to the fragrance of the flowers). ORD. Oleaceae. A small genus (about seven species) of hardy, or nearly hardy, glabrous shrubs or trees, native of North America, Eastern Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Flowers small, disposed in short, rarely branched, axillary fascicles or racemes; lobes of corolla four, imbricated. Drupe ovoid or globose. Leaves opposite, evergreen, entire or dentate. For culture, see Olea (under which the species are sometimes classified).
O. americanus (American). fl. in threes, almost sessile; thyrse rather compound, axillary, narrow. June. fr. purple, globose, containing an edible nut. l. elliptic-lanceolate, about 4in. long, rather coriaceous, shining. Branches rather tetragonal. h. 6ft. North America, 1758. Tree. O. Aquifolium (Holly-leaved).* fl. white, very fragrant. Autumn. l. oval or oblong, prickly-toothed, coriaceous, smooth, shining, somewhat resembling a Holly. Japan. A very handsome, evergreen shrub, varying considerably in the size and toothing of the leaves. (G. C. n. s., vi. 689.) O. ilicifolius is a form with smaller leaves, and of more dense, compact habit; of this, there are several variegated forms in cultivation, which may be propagated by cuttings, but are more rapidly increased by grafting on stems of Privet. O. myrtifolius is a fixed sport, of dense habit, and with rigid, spineless leaves. O. fragrans (fragrant).* fl. yellowish, or almost white; pedicels one-flowered, axillary, and lateral, aggregate from scaly buds. June to August. l. elliptic-lanceolate, a little serrated, 2in. long, acuminated, shining above and paler beneath. h. 6ft. to 10ft. Japan, China, &c., 1771. A very handsome shrub. (B. M. 1552 and L. B. C. 1786, under name of Olea fragrans.)