Maytenus boaria
Common name: Mayten tree
Maytenus boaria is often overlooked because it is evergreen and has insignificant blooms in May, but it is a graceful addition to the Southern Hemisphere garden bed dedicated to summer and fall bulbs, giving it multi-seasonal interest. It is native to South America and has some valuable uses. The oil extracted from its seeds is used in varnish, and its hard wood is made into such things as tool handles. Best of all, European bees make delicious honey from its flowers, of which there are male and female on the same tree, clustered at the base of leaves near the stem. If you are in the Garden in May, you might see them!
‘Boaria’ means “bovine” in Latin, which is appropriate since the leaves are used to feed cattle.
Tree photo: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Leafy photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, via Wikimedia Commons
Flower photo: Dick Culbert, via Wikimedia Commons
From self-guided tours by contributor Vivien Clarke