Family: Oleaceae

Osmanthus fragrans (sweet osmanthus, fragrant olive) is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to Asia. In China, the flowers are infused with black or green tea to make Osmanthus tea. The flowers are also used to make jam, cakes, dumplings, soup and liquor. There is even an Osmanthus flavored pepsi that has been released in China. This plant has not been documented as naturalized in any Hawaiian Islands to date.

High Risk Traits:

• Potentially allelopathic
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Hybridizes naturally with other Osmanthus species
  
• Selfing possible in some populations
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
  
• Tolerates hard pruning (grows back after cutting)

Low Risk Traits:

• No confirmed reports of naturalization or invasiveness
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Slow growth rate and long time to maturity