Devilwood

Devilwood

Cartema americana

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Plantae
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Forest, Wetland
Active Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

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

Scientific Name

Cartema americana
Plant Type
Shrub
Foliage
Evergreen
Flowering Season
February-May
Fruiting Season
September-December

Active Seasons

Spring Summer Fall Winter

Habitat Types

Forest
Wetland

Geographic 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.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

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