Practical
Plants

Phillyrea latifolia

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Oleaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
8 m
Spread
8 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit - olive-like[7]. It is possibly edible[2]. The fruit is an ovoid drupe about 6mm in diameter with a single seed[8].

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.

Diuretic, emmenagogue. Also used as a mouthwash[11][14].

Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Mouthwash

Material uses

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

Bears pruning well and can be grown as a hedge, tolerating maritime exposure though it is fairly slow growing[3][12][15]. Any trimming is best carried out in the spring[6]. Wood - fine grained. Used in turner[11][14]. An excellent charcoal is obtained from the stems[1].

Product or use
Charcoal
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
S.E. Europe to W. Asia.
Habitat
Evergreen thickets and rocky slopes[10][13], mainly on limestone[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[8]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Takes 15 months. High percentage[16]. Layering in autumn. Takes 12 months[16].

Cultivation

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

Thrives in any soil of moderate quality[3]. Prefers a neutral to acid soil but tolerates some lime[8]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[8]. Tolerates maritime exposure[75, K]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[5]. A slow growing plant[4]. The flowers have a rich fruity perfume[9]. This species is cultivated for its edible olive-like fruit in southern Europe[7]. (This report is possibly a mistake[K].) Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[8].

References

  1. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2

  4. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2

  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  10. Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-19-217626-9

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

    ↩1↩2

  12. Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

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  13. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2

  15. Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2

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