DENDROLOGY. 



225 



OLE A. 



Diandria Monogynia. Linn. Jasmineae. Juss. Tonic, scccrnant, stimulant. 



Devil Wood. Olea amcricana. 



This tree belongs exclu- 

 sively to the Southern States, 

 the Floridas and Lower 

 Louisiana; towards the north 

 it is not found beyond Nor- 

 folk in Virginia, and, like 

 the live oak and the cabbage 

 tree, is confined to the sea 

 shore, being rarely found 

 even at a small distance 

 within the country. Xx. grows 

 in soils and exposures ex- 

 tremely different : on the 

 sea shore k springs with the 

 live oak in the most barren 

 and sultry spots, and in other 

 places it is seen with the big 

 laurel, the umbrella tree, the sweet gum, etc., in cool, fertile and 

 shaded situations. 



This tree, or to speak more accurately, this large shrub, is 

 sometimes 30 or 35 feet high, and 10 or 12 inches in diameter : 

 but this size is extraordinary ; it commonly fructifies at the height 

 of 8, 10 or 12 feet. The bark which covers the trunk is smooth 

 and grayish. The leaves are four or five inches long, opposite 

 and lanceolate, entire at the edge, smooth and brilliant on the 

 upper surface, and of an agreeable light green. They are 

 evergreen, or at least are partially renewed once in four or 

 five years. The fertile and barren flowers are on separate trees : 

 they are very small, strongly scented, of a pale yellow, and 

 axillary, or situated between the petiole and the leaves and 

 branches. The season of flowering in the neighborhood of 

 29 



PLATE LXI. 

 Fi". 1. A leaf. Fig. 2.. The fruit. 



