Notelaea ligustrina Vent.

Nomenclature and Common Names

Notelaea ligustrina Vent., commonly called privet mock olive, native olive, doral or silkwood, is a plant in the olive family found in southeastern Australia.

Habitat and Distribution

It grows in and near rainforests, ranging from areas south of Monga National Park in New South Wales, through Victoria, to the island state of Tasmania.

Etymology of Specific Epithet

Its specific epithet ligustrina refers to Privet, because this species resembles privet.

Growth Form and Size

It is a shrub or small tree that can reach 16 metres in height, with a trunk up to 80 cm in diameter.

Leaf Characteristics

It has dull, hairless leaves 3 to 10 cm long and 10 to 25 mm wide. Its leaf stems are purple and 2 to 5 mm long.

Flowering Period and Inflorescence

From January to April, greenish-yellow flowers grow in racemes that emerge from leaf axils.

Fruit Maturation and Size

Relatively large fruit mature from summer to Easter, reaching up to 10 mm in diameter.

Fruit Coloration

These fruits vary in colour, ranging from white to pink to dark purple.

Fruit Edibility and Palatability

Though edible and often produced in heavy yields, the fruit contains a large pip and has a strong, bitter taste that gives it little food value.