Native olive
Chionanthus ramiflora, Fam. Oliaceae
Small to medium hardy tree producing large amounts of purple olive-like fruit.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Small tree, Med tree |
| Family: | Oliaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Opposite Opposite, to about 25 x 8cm. Elliptic to broadly oblong, dark green above and paler underneath. Has a prominently raised, lemon coloured mid-vein. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White, Cream |
| Flower description: | Small, lightly perfumed, 4 petalled white to cream flowers are borne in axillary sprays about 8cm long. Heavy flowerings have been observed in summer and further light flowerings in winter. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Purple |
| Fruit: | Fleshy |
| Fruit description: | Mature fruits are purple in colour, fleshy, contain one hard seed and resemble olives in shape and size. |
| Habitat: | Beach scrub, gallery (riverine or riparian) forest, littoral rainforest, rainforest. |
| Distribution | North Eastern Queensland. |
| Food source for: | Food for a range of marsupials and birds, including the golden bowerbird and topknot pigeon. |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Australia |
| Notes: | Chion meaning snow and anthus flowered, referring to the masses of white flowers. |
| Information sources: | Don Perrin. (1990) Dictionary of Botanical Names., Melzer R. & Plumb J. (2007) Plants of Capricornia., Society for Growing Australian Plants. Mackay Branch. (1989). One hundred and one trees of Mackay. |
