The Osmanthus burkwoodii, or Chinese osmanthus, is one of the most popular ornamental plants in the world. Native to China and Southeast Asia, this evergreen shrub has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years. Its flowers are known as a symbol of longevity and prosperity. The plant’s fragrant flower bracts are made into jasmine tea, while its leaves and stems are used to make cough medicines. The dried flowers can also be used as decoration around the house or office year-round.
1. What is the Osmanthus burkwoodii?
Osmanthus burkwoodii is a plant in the olive family and is native to China. It has a strong aroma similar to the smell of sweet olive. The plant is also used in Chinese medicine.
The growing habits of Osmanthus species are very different from those of most other soft-shelled plants. Because of this, care must be taken in maintaining the shape and size of the plant and protecting it from extremes of heat and cold.
Do not pinch or prune this shrub too aggressively, as this may adversely affect the roots and encourage growth deformities. It’s advised that the plant be trimmed back to keep from reaching the ground.
Osmanthus is a popular indoor plant due to its prolific blooming potential. Check online stores to find a reliable source for plants. Beginners can start with cacti and succulents that are inexpensive.
Sorting through the available inventory can be overwhelming. When selecting a plant, keep in mind the following tips:
Flowers do not always open at the same time.
Keep the soil evenly moist and allow the soil to dry out completely before planting and do not place in direct sunlight.
Guard the plant from snag-stepping, insect infestation, and overwatering.
Prune back young plants to encourage new growth. Repeat this process every 6 months for easier care.
2. Where are osmanthus trees from?
Osmanthus trees are native to China, but have been introduced to the U.S., Europe, and Australia.
Although the exact strain of oso baum stigmo is unknown, its diesels are dominant in its range in China. These plants are adapted to arid and semiarid climates, but have also been cultivated for their high yields of medicinal compounds. Commercial production of plants produced for traditional or traditionalized medicinal purposes stems from the early 1900s in China. The first oso baum stigmo commercialized in North America was registered in 1997 in Tennessee.
Osmanthus and many of its relatives are tolerant of low (less than 30%) levels of sulfur.
Osmanthus baum stigmo was originally sold as an infusion plant for use as a stomach and intestinal remedy. Modern research has shown that the wood of oso baum stigmo is loaded with ketone bodies, which are precursors of acetoacetate — a chemical process that is a major source of energy for cells.
Oso baum stigmo appears to be a safe and effective treatment plant for relieving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea. The wood is particularly useful for treating dermatological conditions such as psoriasis. Research has shown that the wood may also have anti-cancer activity. Modern research has found that oso baum stigmo stimulates the growth of healthy blood vessels in the body.
Osmanthus features prominently in Jewish custom, and nativity scenes are often composed of the plant. Hence the tradition of decorating all homes with fragrant blooms, many of which can be collected in the fall. This tradition may date back to biblical times and was heralded by families that distributed their plants to their guests.
3. What are the benefits of growing osmanthus trees at home?
Osmanthus, also known as tea olive or sweet olive, is a genus of flowering trees in the olive family, Oleaceae.Native to the eastern and southern regions of China and Singapore, it was first introduced into the United States in 1848 through trade from China.
The plant was first named after Osman Willi Wilhelm Kielburg, an Austrian naturalist who described 28 species of the plant including the commonly sold Chinese oolong. The name was changed to burkwood shortly after because the local people thought that this particular species was poisonous when it was first introduced to the US. Today, there are approximately 6000 species of oolong in China and upwards of 5000 species worldwide.
The natural history of the Chinese oolong is unclear, but by the 1970s, the plant had been cultivated commercially for as long back as 250 years, creating a veritable Chinese pharmacy. Historically, the oolong tea used in traditional Chinese medicine was sweet and had a more stimulating effect.
4. Where can I buy Osmanthus burkwoodii trees to grow at home?
If you’d like to grow your own Osmanthus burkwoodii trees to use in your personalised skincare, you can purchase them online from Osmanthus Tree Farms . You can also find them at Amazon.
Osmanthus is not just a rare plant — it’s one of the most commercially valuable wild plants in the world. However, due to its rarity, there’s a huge demand for imports of the plants to replenish domestic stocks. It’s not practical to buy the slow-growing, hardy plant in its natural habitat, so breeders artificially inseminate it and cross-breed it with supposedly equivalent wild-type plants to make it easier to obtain.
All of this is done in anonymous new coniferous forests that would otherwise be undisturbed by humans. Sadly, this practice has caused the populations of wild-growing and favoured species to decline significantly, making them harder and harder to find in nature.
These endangered osimoii species will continue to live out their natural lives in forests around the world until their extinction becomes inevitable.
5. Last but not least, do you have a favorite variety of osmanthus tree you would recommend?
There are two varieties of osmanthus trees that are particularly fragrant. These are the "Osmanthus fragrans" and the "Osmanthus heterophyllus".
The fragrant wood is valuable because it has been used in more than 30 traditional Chinese medicines. Though the roots are edible, they have a considerably lower concentration of alkaloids (which have antioxidant properties and help to fight inflammation). The wood is also great to turn into structural beams, ceilings and flooring. To grow the wood, these plants need access to sunlight and moisture, so unless you live in a very humid area (think Hawaii), they’ll be perfectly happy indoors in your home.
When choosing the right shape for your home or office, check how much sunlight your home normally gets in a year. This will allow you to select the correct shape. You can also unbury the wood by adding soil or potting it on top of existing soil. Once the wood has dried, you’ll be able to trim it to its desired shape.
If you want to invest in a more elaborate project than planting new plants to add beauty to your space, you can pick up some branch cuttings. These are the roots that have shrunk and broken off after they’ve reached the point where other larger roots might be. The edges of the cuttings can be woven into patterns, as another accent to your landscaping.
Carefully related to the fragrant wood, the dormant sprouts are easier to care for and sell. The shape, size and number of points where the wood Exudes from the surface can be greatly varied; vary it however you like. The wood does not need to be dried out completely before it’s ready to use in the home. Do not be afraid of drying it, as drying it causes the wood to lose elasticity.