Holly Olive
ExplorePlants
Holly Olive
osmanthus heterophyllus
The Holly Olive is a lovely evergreen plant with shiny green leaves. It produces sweet-smelling flowers that attract butterflies and bees!
Habitat: Holly Olives thrive in gardens, parks, and wooded areas.
Appearance
The Holly Olive is a dense evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green leaves that strikingly resemble common holly, though it is not a true holly. Its small, highly fragrant white flowers bloom in clusters, often subtly hidden among the foliage, providing a stark contrast to the dark, spiny leaves.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyOleaceaeGenusOsmanthus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite its looks, the Holly Olive is actually related to common olives, not hollies!
Its incredibly strong, sweet scent can fill an entire garden from just a few small flowers!
Its scientific name 'Osmanthus' means 'fragrant flower' in Greek!
Some Holly Olive plants can have two different leaf shapes growing on the same branch!
Special abilities
Ability
Spiky Defense
Holly Olive has sharp, spiny leaves that mimic real holly to help it deter hungry animals from nibbling on its foliage.
Ability
Fragrance Beacon
Its tiny flowers release a powerful, sweet scent that travels far, helping to attract pollinators even in cooler weather.
Ability
Winter Bloom
Holly Olive can bloom from fall into early winter, providing a valuable source of nectar when most other plants are dormant.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 200-600 cm
- Spread
- 150-400 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Fall_to_winter
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar and pollen.
eaten by
Sika Deer
Cervus nippon
Browses on its leaves and stems.
shelters
Common Green Lacewing
Chrysoperla carnea
Adults hide among dense foliage.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Fragrant OliveHolly Tea OliveOsmanthus
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Holly Olive?
200-600 cm
How wide does Holly Olive spread?
150-400 cm
How big are the flowers on Holly Olive?
0.5-1 cm
When does Holly Olive bloom?
Fall_to_winter
Is Holly Olive edible?
No
Is Holly Olive toxic?
None
What is Holly Olive's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Holly Olive pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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