Family: Oleaceae
Kwai-fah is a flowering shrub that is native to the Himalayas, Japan, and China.
Small, with an upright habit and densely branched, it responds well to pruning and shaping. It is a utility-friendly species. Green leaves are finely toothed, oval-shaped, and leathery. White flowers appear in small axillary clusters. While the flowers aren’t extremely pretty, however, they emit an intoxicating apricot scent. Flower colors vary by cultivar.
The species name Osmanthus is Greek for sweet-smelling, and the genus name, fragrans, means fragrant. In other words, the sweet-smelling fragrance is the botanical name. Here in Hawaii, the common name is kwai-fah. In China, the common name means ‘fragrant forest.’ When blooming in China, residents and visitors stroll through the flowering forests to appreciate the heady aroma.
The flowers are used in tea, beverages, perfumes, essential oils, jams, cakes, soaps, and liquor.
Plant Uses:
- Bonsai
- Container plant
- Cut flower
- Fragrant
- Hedge
- Lei flower
- Medicinal
- Ornamental
- Privacy / screening
- Bonzai
Plant Dangers:
- No dangers
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
