Practical
Plants

Osmanthus fragrans

Fragrant Olive

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Osmanthus genus in the family Oleaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Oleaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
6 m
Spread
6 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The unripe fruits are preserved in brine like olives[7]. The very fragrant flowers are used by the Chinese to impart a pleasant aroma to tea, wine and sweet dishes such as lotus seed soup, pastries and steamed pears[8][13][15][7]. They are also added to herbal medicines in order to disguise obnoxious flavours[6]. The flowers have a scent of apricots[4].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The flowers are antitussive[10]. They are used in cosmetics for the hair and skin, but are mostly used to flavour other medicines[10]. A decoction of the stem bark is used in the treatment of boils, carbuncles etc[10]. A past made from the stem or bark is used in the treatment of boils, carbuncles, whoping cough and retinitis[12]. A decoction of the lateral roots is used in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea, rheumatism, bruises etc[10].

Product or use
Antitussive

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An essential oil is obtained from the flowers[6]. Used as a flavouring. The flowers are used as an insect repellent for clothes[4].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas.
Habitat
Mountains of S. Japan[14]. 1200 - 2100 metres in the Himalayas[4]. Forests, in association with Ilex dipyrena and Castanopsis spp, at elevations of 1300 - 3000 metres in Nepal[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a coldframe[9]. Stored seed probably germinates best if it is given 3 months warm then 3 months cold stratification before sowing[3]. The seed usually takes 6 - 18 months to germinate, it should be pricked out into individual pots when it is large enough to handle. Grow the plants on for their first winter in the greenhouse and plant them out in early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood taken at the end of July, in a frame with bottom heat[2]. Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 7 - 12cm with a heel, September/October in a cold frame. A good percentage. Plant out in the spring 18 months later[16]. Layering in spring[9] or autumn[16]. Partially sever the layer leads in the following late summer and plant out in the autumn. High percentage[16].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in any well-drained soil in sun or part shade[2][9], but flowering more freely in a sunny position[2]. Thrives in chalky conditions[2]. Dislikes unduly exposed positions[2], and requires shelter from freezing winds[9]. Not very hardy outdoors in Britain[2], it succeeds on a wall in Cornwall[1] or in a woodland garden in the milder areas of the country[5]. The flowers are very fragrant[11]. They are sometimes available in oriental stores, preserved in sweetened brine or as a sugary paste called 'cassia blossom jam'[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

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  4. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

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  6. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

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  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  12. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2

  13. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  14. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

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  15. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  16. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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