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Name That Plant!

Fragrant Fall Blooming Woody Shrub. Help!

14 years ago

I'm hoping someone can help me identify this shrub that is currently in bloom (Oct-Nov). The shrub is currently about 15 feet height (might be a tree).

The very small white four petaled flowers are very fragrant and seem to be partially hidden by the very glossy leaves that grow in an opposite fashion.

Can anyone tell me what this is?

Thanks.

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Comments (5)

Iris GW
14 years ago
A type of Osmanthus.
User
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the information! I should have known better. I guess Osmanthus never occurred to me because I'm more familiar with the thorny holly osmanthus (Osmanthus Heterophyllus). I've never seen this entire (smooth) form before.
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Chris, Osmanthus fragrans blooms heavily in the late fall. Mine just finished with a strong flowering period, almost as heavy as the spring bloom. In another form, Eleagnus was suggested as a possibility. You can easily look it up and compare with what you've seen/smelled. I'll bet that it's the Tea Olive (Osmanthus), though.
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Embothrium
14 years ago
The varying leaf shape is the basis for the specific epithet heterophyllus being used for this shrub. As with English holly spiny and smooth leaves are often present on the same specimen.
User
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the info on heterophyllus. Now I finally know what it means.
Embothrium
14 years ago
Heteros is Greek for different. A phyllon is a leaf. So, "different leaves".

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