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Osyris alba - White Osyris, Poet's cassia

Explore Osyris alba (White Osyris) - its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.

Osyris alba - White Osyris, Poet's cassia

Osyris alba | Botanical Characteristics

Common Names: White Osyris, Gardrobe, Poet's cassia, Osyris

Family: Santalaceae

Appearance: A semi-parasitic, woody shrub or small tree with slender, green stems and narrow, leathery leaves. Produces small yellow-green flowers and red, fleshy fruits

Type: Perennial

Evergreen / Deciduous: Evergreen

Layer: Shrub layer

Root System: Partially parasitic root system, often attaching to nearby plants for nutrients

Height: 1–2 meters

Width: Up to 2 meters

Lifespan: Long-lived perennial

Growth Rate: Slow to moderate

Fertility: Not self-fertile

Flowers: Dioecious (separate male and female plants)

Pollinator: Attracts various insects

Toxicity: Fruits are mildly toxic if consumed in large quantities

Osyris alba | Habitat and Cultivation

Range

  • Native Range: Mediterranean region, parts of Africa, and the Middle East.

  • Companionship: Often associated with Mediterranean shrubs and grasses like thyme, rosemary, and cistus

  • Invasive Range: Not widely reported as invasive

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 7–10

  • Minimum Chill Hours Required: None specified

Resistance/Tolerance

  • Poor Soil: High tolerance

  • Drought: High tolerance

  • Shade: Moderate tolerance

  • Flood: Low tolerance

  • Wind: Moderate tolerance

  • Maritime: Moderate tolerance

  • Air Pollution: Moderate tolerance

  • Fire: Moderate tolerance

Thriving Conditions

  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

  • Soil Moisture: Prefers dry to moderately moist conditions

  • Soil Type: Adaptable to various soils, including sandy, rocky, or calcareous substrates

  • Soil PH: Prefers neutral to slightly alkaline (6.5–8.5)

Propagation

  • Seeds: Propagated by seeds, often requiring scarification for better germination rates

  • Cuttings: Rarely propagated by cuttings

Osyris alba | Functional Uses and Benefits

Edible: Fruits are occasionally consumed in small amounts but are not a common food source

Medicinal: Traditionally used for its diuretic and antiseptic properties in local medicine

Cosmetics: The aromatic wood may be used in perfumes or essential oils

Animal Feed: Leaves are sometimes browsed by livestock in arid regions

Fiber: Not used for fiber production

Timber: Wood is occasionally used for small-scale crafting or burning

Firewood: Used as a source of firewood in rural areas

Wind Break: Not commonly used as a windbreak

Fence: Occasionally utilized as a living fence in arid regions

Cover Crop: Not suitable as a cover crop

Mulch: Not typically used as mulch

Nitrogen Fixer: No

Dynamic Accumulator: No significant data available

Pollinator Attractor: Attracts pollinating insects during flowering

Pest Repellent: Not specifically noted as a pest repellent

Wildlife Supporter: Provides food for birds and small mammals through its fruits and habitat for insects

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