About Osmanthus heterophyllus (G.Don) P.S.Green
Osmanthus heterophyllus is an evergreen shrub or small tree that reaches 2 to 8 meters (7 to 26 feet) in height. Its bark ranges in color from brown to grey or blackish, and cracks into small plates on older plants. It bears opposite leaves that are 3–7 cm long and 1.5–4 cm broad, with a thick, leathery texture. Leaves are lustrous dark green on the upper surface, and paler yellow-green on the lower surface. Leaf margins are either smooth and entire, or have one to four large spine-tipped teeth per side. Spiny leaves are most common on small, young plants, as an adaptation to discourage browsing animals. Entire leaves are most common higher up on larger mature plants, which are out of the reach of browsing animals. The species produces very fragrant, white flowers with a four-lobed corolla. The corolla tube measures 1–2 mm long, while the lobes are 2.5–5 mm long. Osmanthus heterophyllus is dioecious, and flowers in autumn. Its fruit is an ovoid dark purple drupe, 1.5 cm long and 1 cm in diameter. Fruit matures the following summer, around 9 months after flowering. This species is widely cultivated as a hedge plant. Several cultivars have been selected for garden planting, including 'Aureus', 'Goshiki', 'Purpureus', 'Rotundifolius', and 'Subangustatus'. The cultivars 'Goshiki', 'Variegatus' and 'Purple Shaft' have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. In cultivation, this species has been hybridized with Osmanthus fragrans, producing the hybrid Osmanthus × fortunei Carr.
