Osmanthus yunnanensis explained

Osmanthus yunnanensis is a species of flowering plant in the olive family Oleaceae, native to Yunnan and Sichuan in the far south west of China. Growing to 12m (39feet) tall and broad, it is an evergreen shrub or small tree with leathery oval leaves, which may be flat or undulate. In winter and spring, small clusters of white flowers in the leaf axils produce an intense fragrance.^[1]

This plant was introduced to Britain by the Scottish botanist and planthunter George Forrest in 1927.Despite originating in a subtropical region, Osmanthus yunnanensis has proved to be hardy throughout most of the UK, down to about -15C. There is a thriving specimen in St Andrews Botanic Garden in south east Scotland.^[2] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.^{[3] [4]}

Etymology

Osmanthus is derived from Greek and means 'fragrant flower'.^[5]

Yunnanensis means 'from Yunnan Province, China.'

Notes and References

1. Web site: Architectural Plants - Osmanthus yunnanensis . ArchitecturalPlants . 14 April 2018.
2. Web site: Plant of the month, December 2008: Osmanthus yunnanensis . St Andrews University . 14 April 2018.
3. Web site: RHS Plantfinder - Osmanthus yunnanensis. 14 April 2018.
4. Web site: AGM Plants - Ornamental . July 2017 . 70 . Royal Horticultural Society . 14 April 2018.
5. Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. (hardback), (paperback). pp 285, 410