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Texas Wild Olive

This ornamental member of the Borage family has highly attractive dark, soft oval leaves about 7" long by 3" wide. The tree can reach 15-30' tall with a 10-16' spread. Although highly drought tolerant, it is very sensitive to cold weather north of the Austin area, but thrives in Zones 9-11. Clusters of pretty white, funnel-shaped flowers with yellow throats grow 2-3" across, and resemble delicate white crepe paper. The fruit may be sweet, but eaten raw they are slightly toxic and may cause dizziness. Early Texas settlers used the fruit to make a perfectly safe and delicious jelly, the syrup derived from the fruit as a cough medicine, a dye for cloth and a folk remedy for rheumatism. The wood is even highly prized in carpentry. Currently available here at the nursery in 15 gallon pots.