Native Olive

Notelaea ligustrina, also known as the Native Olive or Glossy Privet, is a small tree or large shrub native to southeastern Australia. It grows in and near temperate rainforests from Monga on the South Coast of NSW and into Victoria and Tasmania. It is most suited to areas with higher rainfall and moderate temperatures.

It can grow to a height of up to 16 meters with a spread of 4-6 meters. The tree has glossy green leaves and small white flowers that appear in spring and summer. The tree produces small fruits that mature from summer to mid-autumn, up to 10 mm in diameter. These fruits are generally a shade of pink, varying from white to dark purple, that ripens in autumn and winter. Though edible and often heavy yielding, the fruit has a large pip and a strong, bitter taste, giving them little food value.

The tree prefers well-draining soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 7 and can tolerate various soil types, including sandy, clay and loamy soils. It prefers a location with partial shade, and it can also full-shade.