0269 



PHILLYREA 



Family: JASMINES [Translator's note: Phillyrea now classified in the family 

 Oleaceae]. 



Reproductive system: DlANDRY, MONOGYNY. 



The broad-leaved phillyrea, Phillyrea latifolia, Linn., is a medium-sized, very 

 branchy tree with ash-colored bark. The leaves are oval, smooth, with serrate margins, or 

 oval-oblong, pointed, slightly serrated on the margins, or oblong-lanceolate, pointed, 

 serrate, and turned obliquely, depending on the variety. In all cases, the leaves are 

 evergreen, firm, and shiny. There's a cultivated variety that has entire leaves. The flowers 

 are small, either greenish or pink, and gathered in small clusters in the axils of the leaves. 

 The calyx has four teeth. The corolla is monopetalous, short, with four lobes. There are 

 two stamens. The ovary is free and turns into a berry with a single compartment and one 

 seed. 



FLOWERS: in April and May. 



RANGE: the southern provinces of France and the vicinity of Nantes. 



NOMENCLATURE. German, die steinlinde. English, mock-privet. Spanish, filirea. 

 The name phillyrea comes from the Greek word for leaf. 



USES. The phillyrea is planted in winter groves. It's used for making palisades 

 along walls. The wood is extremely hard and is suitable for lathe work. It's also very 

 good for heating. The leaves are astringent and are a cleansing agent. 



CULTIVATION. It's propagated by rooted suckers and by layering. According to 

 M. Dumont-Courset, this has to be done in good quality pure soil during February or 

 March. It also can be grown from seeds. In general the tree likes warm ground, a southern 

 exposure, and shelter on its north side; otherwise there's a risk of losing it in a very harsh 

 winter. Those grown in loose, sandy soil are hardier 



