Northern Olive / Native Olive
Origin on name
Family: OLEACEAE
- Chionanthus meaning “snow flower“
- ramiflorus meaning “flowers on branches“
Occurrence
Grows locally in beach scrubs and sand dunes, riparian forest and rainforest. Occurs from Cape York to Mackay.
Needs well-drained site in full sun/part-shade. Tolerates drier sites, with watering. Keeps lower foliage – good as screen or windbreak, especially in larger areas.
Appearance
A fast-growing shrub/small tree (3-10m) with dark green, attractive leaves. Clusters of small, perfumed, white-cream flowers (Aug-Dec) lead to abundant, olive-like fruit, dark blue when ripe, but inedible.
Fruit are important food item for birds, especially rain-forest pigeons & cassowaries. Becoming weedy in some non-native areas where it’s been planted, e.g. SE Qld. Timber used by wood-turners.
