devilwood Oleaceae Osmanthus americanus (L.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex A. Gray symbol: OSAM Leaf: Opposite, simple, evergreen, thickened, elliptical to obovate, 1 to 2 1/2 inches long, entire to slightly wavy margin, revolute, blue-green above, much paler and rusty or scaly beneath. Flower: Small (1/4 inch), urn-shaped, 5 white, fused petals with numerous light brown scales, borne singly or in small groups in the leaf axils of last years growth, appear in spring. Fruit: Dark blue drupe, 3/4 inch long, olive-like, maturing in fall. Twig: Slender, green but generally densely covered in rusty brown scales, leaf scar with a single bundle scar. Bark: Gray-brown and becoming finely scaly. Form: Sprouts readily and forms thickets reaching up to 20 feet in height. Larger specimens develop rigid twisted branches and an irregular crown. Looks like: Japanese privet - desert-olive Additional Range Information: Osmanthus americanus is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting devilwood. External Links: USDA Plants Database Horticulture © Copyright 2016, Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, all rights reserved. Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson