| General Description | Osmanthus armatus is a broadleaf, holly-like evergreen shrub with a broadly oval form. Typically, it can reach heights of up to 5 m and a width of 3 m, but occasionally it may grow into
a small tree, reaching heights of up to 10 m. Commonly referred to as the "Thorny holly olive", it earns its name due to its resemblance to hollies. However, Osmanthus armatus has opposite leaves, while hollies have alternate leaves. |
| ID Characteristic | Thick, shiny, dark green leaves with large spiny teeth on juvenile leaves. White flowers have a sweet jasmine-like scent. Egg-shaped, dark-violet fruits. Dark purple, egg-shaped fruits. |
| Shape | Broadly oval. |
| Landscape | Osmanthus armatus can be used as a large ornamental or specimen shrub. It is a candidate for hedging and topiary because of the dense foliage; the sweet fragrance of the flowers is also highly appreciated. |
| Propagation | Osmanthus armatus is usually propagated from stem cuttings. Take cuttings of healthy and non-flowering shoots in mid or late summer, insert them into pots with moist compost, and transport the pots to a warm propagator until new growth occurs. |
| Cultivation | Grows in full sun to partial shade, but also tolerates full shade. Likes acidic, humus-rich, moist, and well-drained soils. Not tolerant to cold winter wind. Tolerant to heavy pruning and likes to be grown in containers and pots. |
| Pests | Resistant to most garden diseases. May be susceptible to fungus. |
| Notable Specimens | St Andrews Botanic Garden, Scotland. JC Raulston Arboretum, United States. |
| Habitat | Rocky alpine habitats. Upper elevation limit is 1400 m. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Multi-stemmed shrub. The bark is greyish brown. Branchlets have fine, soft hairs but become smooth when they mature. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | The small, white, ovate flower buds, measuring 4-5 mm in size, are nestled in the axils. |
| Leaf Description | Dark green, stiff, glossy, oblong-lanceolate leaves with a length of 8 to 15 cm. Juvenile leaves have stout, spiny teeth up to 10 per margin, which are absent on mature, adult leaves. Leaf blade is glabrous except for midrib adaxially. |
| Flower Description | Creamy white, sweetly fragrant flowers grow in clusters from the leaf axils during autumn. 6 mm in diameter. |
| Fruit Description | Dark purple, egg-shaped drupes only appear on fertilized female flowers. 1.5 cm in length and 1 cm in width. Fruit from April to June. |
| Colour Description | Dark green, glossy leaves through all seasons. |
| Texture Description | Medium-textured. |