Phillyrea
(from Philyra, the old Greek name used by Theophrastus for the Privet). Jasmine Box; Mock Privet. ORD. Oleaceae. A genus comprising only four species of ornamental, hardy, evergreen, glabrous or rarely cano-pubescent shrubs, natives of the Mediterranean region and the Orient. Flowers small, fasciculate in the axils; calyx and corolla four-lobed, those of the latter imbricated and obtuse. Drupe globose or ovoid, one or two-seeded. Leaves opposite, entire, or serrulated. Several so-called species are merely varieties. Phillyreas thrive in almost any soil; but in the northern parts of this country they must have very sheltered positions. P. Vilmoriniana is the hardiest. Like the rest, it may be propagated from cuttings, or be grafted on the Privet.
P. angustifolia (narrow-leaved). fl. white. May. l. linear-lanceolate, quite entire, obsoletely veined. Branches beset with elevated dots. h. 8ft. to 10ft. Italy and Spain, 1597. The following are forms of this species: brachiata, with very short, oblong-lanceolate leaves, and divaricate branches; lanceolata, with lanceolate leaves and erect branches; and rosmarinifolia, with elongated, lanceolate-subulate leaves, and straight branches. P. latifolia (broad-leaved). fl. white. May. l. ovate, rounded at the base, serrated, veiny; young ones sub-cordate at the base. h. 20ft. to 30ft. South Europe, 1597. (S. F. G. 2.) Of this, the following are forms: laevis, with ovate, flat, obsoletely-serrated leaves; obliqua, with lanceolate-oblong, acute, serrated, oblique leaves. buxifolia, crispa, ilicifolia, and macrophylla, are varieties with sufficiently distinctive names. P. media (intermediate).* fl. white. May. l. lanceolate, quite entire, or a little serrated in the middle, triplinerved, veiny. h. 10ft. to 15ft. South Europe, 1597. The following are varieties: pendula, with lanceolate leaves, and divaricating, pendulous branches; virgata (SYNS. ligustrifolia and oleaefolia), with oblong-lanceolate leaves.
P. Vilmoriniana (Vilmorin's).* fl. whitish, numerous, in axillary clusters. l. resembling those of the Portugal Laurel. This plant is known in gardens under the name of P. laurifolia. Asia Minor, 1885. (B. M. 6800.)