(Forestiera acuminata )
The Olive Family (Oleaceae)
Tall bush or short tree with opposite, deciduous leaves; ridged, dark brown bark; small, fragrant yellow flowers and purplish-black drupes.
Habitat:
Lowland woods, swamps and rocky edges of streams and ponds.
Interesting Facts:
Commonly found in wet environments, usually in standing water for long parts of the year. Lumber used for wood turnings. Because it blooms before the leaves appear, the yellow flowers make it a showy wetland environment planting.
Fruit:
Light brown to dark purple-black, .4” long oblong drupes maturing in early summer.
Flower:
Tiny yellow green flowers without petals, on yellow bracts in small clusters. Female flowers insignificant.
Wildlife value:
Drupes are valuable food for songbirds and waterfowl, specifically wood ducks; foliage grazed by deer; spring pollen source for bees and limited cover source for birds and small mammals.
Male Flowers
Leaf type:
Simple
Pollinator:
Wildlife value:
Tree dimensions:
Leaf length: 2.00-4.50 inches
Tree height: 10.00-30.00 feet
Where to find Swamp Privet on the Louisiana State Arboretum Trails:
WET - Wetland Trail 7.0
Refer to our Live Map to locate this species and its interpretative signage on the trail system.