Osmanthus americanus, commonly known as American Olive, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to moist woodlands, stream banks, and hammocks in the Southeastern United States. It typically grows to a height of 4–7 m (13–23 ft) and has a rounded to oval crown. The leaves are leathery, dark green, and can be up to 10 cm long. Its highly fragrant flowers are small, about 1 cm long, white, with a four-lobed corolla, and bloom in early spring. The flowers are quite showy due to their strong scent which can fill the surrounding area. Following the flowering season, the plant produces globose dark blue drupes, 6–15 mm (0.24–0.59 in) in diameter, each containing a single seed, which are attractive to birds.

American Olive is valued for its fragrant flowers, which can add a pleasant aroma to gardens. It is often used as a specimen plant, in hedges, or for naturalizing in informal areas. It is relatively low-maintenance, tolerating a range of soil types, though it prefers moist, well-drained soils. It can adapt to full sun or part shade conditions. While generally pest-free, it can occasionally suffer from scale insects or leaf spot diseases. Its non-invasive root system makes it suitable for planting near structures.CC BY-SA 4.0