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Phillyrea latifolia - L.

Common Name
Family Oleaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Evergreen thickets and rocky slopes[45, 50], mainly on limestone[184].
Range S.E. Europe to W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Phillyrea latifolia


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Esculapio
Phillyrea latifolia
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Esculapio

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Phillyrea latifolia is an evergreen Tree growing to 8 m (26ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. media.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - olive-like[2]. It is possibly edible[105]. The fruit is an ovoid drupe about 6mm in diameter with a single seed[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Mouthwash

Diuretic, emmenagogue. Also used as a mouthwash[46, 61].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Charcoal  Hedge  Hedge  Wood

Bears pruning well and can be grown as a hedge, tolerating maritime exposure though it is fairly slow growing[11, 49, 75]. Any trimming is best carried out in the spring[188]. Wood - fine grained. Used in turner[46, 61]. An excellent charcoal is obtained from the stems[100].

Special Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Thrives in any soil of moderate quality[11]. Prefers a neutral to acid soil but tolerates some lime[200]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[200]. Tolerates maritime exposure[75, K]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[184]. A slow growing plant[182]. The flowers have a rich fruity perfume[245]. This species is cultivated for its edible olive-like fruit in southern Europe[2]. (This report is possibly a mistake[K].) Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[200]. 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[78]. Layering in autumn. Takes 12 months[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey EUROPE: Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal AFRICA: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

1150200

Links / References

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Subject : Phillyrea latifolia  
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