Cartrema americana aka Devilwood

Cartrema americana is an evergreen shrub or small tree. Common names include wild olive, American olive, and devilwood. It belongs to the olive family, Oleaceae. Its native range spans the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Honduras. It grows in coastal and inland woods. Wild plants also grow beside streams and near swamps.

Garden trees often reach 15–25 feet (4.6–7.6 metres) tall. Their spread reaches 10–15 feet (3–4.6 metres). NC State gives a broader height range of 5–30 feet (1.5–9.1 metres). Wild trees sometimes reach 40 feet (12.2 metres). Plants often have several trunks, with rounded or vase-shaped crowns. The gray-brown bark has fine scales and raised lenticels. Thick, glossy leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stems. Each leaf has a smooth edge and dark green colour. Sun-grown leaves may turn yellow-green during fall.

Small white flowers open from April to May. Their tube-shaped blooms have lobes that bend back. They smell sweet and draw bees to the garden. Flowers grow on wood formed during the prior year. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. A female needs a male nearby to set fruit. The dark blue drupes resemble small olives. They ripen from August to October and may last until spring. Birds and small mammals eat them and spread the seeds. The supplied sources do not establish human edibility or toxicity.

Plant wild olive in moist soil that drains well. It prefers part shade but accepts sun with enough moisture. It grows in clay, loam, or sand. Acid to neutral soil suits it. Established trees withstand some drought, and sources also report flood tolerance. UF/IFAS lists USDA zones 5b–9b; NC State lists 6a–9b. The plant tolerates wind and salt spray. Sources describe its growth as slow to moderate.

Use wild olive as a hedge, screen, or specimen. It also suits native gardens, woodland edges, and mixed borders. Its evergreen leaves give wildlife shelter through winter and harsh weather. It needs little pruning but accepts heavy shaping. Pruning can remove wood that would bear next year's flowers. The strong, heavy wood resists splitting and is hard to work. Sources report no major pest or disease problems. Deer resistance adds to its value in gardens. UF/IFAS rates its invasive potential as low. Raising new plants from seed or cuttings can be difficult.