Hello.. I live in Yorktown VA and we have a bush out here that my partner insists he believes its a type of Holly. A sample was taken to someone with knowledge and they say its a Osthmanthus (sp?) There are no berries on it and the flowers are small and white with a VERY HEADY aroma coming from it that can be smelled for a long ways. Can anyone Identify this plant from my photo. I have more but i am new to this forum and don't know how many I can share per post. Thanks Kath
Welcome Kathy 0. Definitely not a Holly. Your expert was correct it is Osmanthus. Probably Osmanthus fragrans. It has several common names including Sweet tea. and Fragrant olive. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Osmanthus_fragrans.jpg
With those short, thick leaves I'd expect O. heterophyllus to be more likely. The location being in Virginia might also point to this hardier species.
