Shrubs or trees, evergreen, glabrous. Leaves opposite, entire or serrate. Flowers axillary and terminal, in fascicles or in very short racemes. Calyx 4-toothed. Corolla lobes 4, elliptic, obtuse, imbricate. Stamens 2, subsessile. Style short or cylindric, 2-lobed or subentire. Drupe ovoid or globose. Seed pendulous, usually solitary.

Species about 35, from NW. Himalaya through China to Japan; Polynesia, south eastern N. America.

At one time united with Olea which differs chiefly in its valvate corolla lobes.

Lower Taxon

• Osmanthus fragrans Lour.