Small tree to 8 m or so tall. Leaves elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, about 6-10 cm long, pointed, leathery, entire or with fine teeth in upper half. Flowers white, solitary or in few-flowered, short-stalked clusters, fragrant, the corolla split nearly to the base; early spring. Fruits bluish, about 12 mm long.

Himalaya, Japan, China

In China the leaves are used to perfume tea.

ACT: Canberra (Australian National University campus). VIC: Hamilton (Hamilton Botanic Gardens); Kyneton (Kyneton Botanic Gardens).

f. aurantiacus (Makino) P.S. Green. Flowers orange-yellow, leaves mostly entire.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Oleaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.