Common Name

Devilwood

Scientific Name

Cartema americana

Also called American Olive, the Devilwood is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a narrow crown of glossy, leathery leaves, clusters of white, fragrant, bell-shaped flowers in early spring, and dark blue fruit that looks like small olives. It was named “Devilwood” because the fine-textured wood is difficult to split and work. Height: 30’

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Phylum: Tracheophyta
  • Class: Magnoliopsida
  • Order: Lamiales
  • Family: Oleaceae
  • Genus: Cartrema
  • Species: Cartrema americana
Habitat

Forest, Wetland

Distribution

Native to southeastern North America, in the United States from Virginia to Texas, and in Mexico from Nuevo León south to Oaxaca and Veracruz.

Seasonality

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Abundance

Common

Activity Time

Diurnal

Diet

Behavior

Ecological Role

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Threats & Impacts

Notes