Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, evergreen
Shape
Lanceolate to oblong, unlobed
Margin
Entire, wavy
Arrangement
Alternate on stems
Venation
Pinnate with prominent midrib
Key Features
Stiff, leathery texture with a distinctly wavy margin and a sharp-tapering apex.
Description
An evergreen shrub or small tree reaching up to 10-18 meters in height with smooth, dark olive-green bark. Produces small, yellowish-green flowers followed by small, shiny black berries.
Habitat
Chaparral and woodland biomes, thriving in well-drained soil under full sun to partial shade.
Native Range
Native to the Mediterranean region, and widely cultivated in temperate and subtropical climates globally.
Identified on 10/18/2026