Wild olive is an evergreen, perennial shrub or small tree in the olive family (Oleaceae). It is found in maritime and inland forests of the southeastern US (including North Carolina), as well as Mexico and Central America. The genus name is compounded from Greek words meaning “perforate nut” and refers to a hollowed depression in the endocarp. The species epithet indicates its origin in North America. Wild olive tolerates a range of soil conditions as long as the soil is moist and well-drained. It prefers partial shade but tolerates sunnier positions if moisture is present. It takes pruning well and can be shaped as desired. When pruning, keep in mind that next season's blossoms will appear on old (this season’s) growth, so pruning may diminish next year’s floral display. It is tolerant of wind. Wild olive is found in hammocks and inland sandy forests. It forms a shrub or small tree with gray-brown and finely scaly bark and opposite, smooth, elliptical leaves. In spring, small, fragrant, white flowers with tubular corollas and reflexed lobes are produced on the previous year's growth. Flowers are followed by dark blue drupes that mature in the fall. This plant is dioecious. Consequently, a male pollinizer plant is required to get fruit set on a female plant. The fruits are consumed by various animals, which disperse the seeds. Wild olive makes a sturdy addition to a native or pollinator garden. It is suitable for a winter garden or a lightly shaded garden. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Irregular; Multi-trunked; Open
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Long-lasting
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The thick and leathery leaves of the wild olive are 2 to 4.5 inches, opposite, simple and dark green, entire, with a smooth margin. If grown in the sun, the leaves turn yellow-green in the fall.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
In the spring, small, tubular, white flowers with reflexed lobes mature on the previous year's growth. The flowers bloom April-May.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Blue
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit detail
This plant produces a dark blue drupe that hangs like an olive and matures in the fall. Displays in late summer and fall between August and October.
Bark color
Dark Gray
Bark detail
The bark is gray-brown with warty lenticels.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern North America, Mexico, and Honduras
Distribution
Florida and Louisiana north to Virginia and west to Texas.
Wildlife value
Provides cover during the winter and extreme weather. Fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.
The wood of this tree is heavy and strong, but can be difficult to work. The common name Devilwood refers to the toughness and unsplittable nature of the wood.