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Wild olive

Cartrema americanum

Last reviewed: October 2026

Wild olive (Cartrema americanum) is a perennial tree native to AL, FL, GA, LA and 4 more states. It blooms in March and April. The flowers draw bees.

Wild olive (Cartrema americanum)
Photo: (c) Senna Bryce Robeson, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Wild olive (Cartrema americanum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

120"–300" H × 96"–180" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr

Native to

AL, FL, GA, LA and 4 more states

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Middle Atlantic Coastal PlainSoutheastern PlainsSouthern Coastal Plain

A dense, evergreen small tree or large shrub with glossy, leathery leaves and clusters of small, intensely fragrant white flowers in early spring. Naturally holds a neat, upright, hedge-like form.

Growing Wild olive

Grow Wild olive in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 120 to 300 inches tall and spread 96 to 180 inches wide.

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Wildlife value

Its fragrant spring flowers are a strong early-season nectar source for bees.

Common questions

How much sun does Wild olive need?
Wild olive grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Wild olive bloom?
Wild olive blooms in March and April.
Where is Wild olive native?
Wild olive (Cartrema americanum) is native to AL, FL, GA, LA and 4 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Wild olive attract?
Wild olive draws bees.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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