Phillyrea media

Scientific description

Taxon: Phillyrea media
Class: Eudicotyledons
Subclass: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Oleaceae
Common name: Intermediate-leaved Phillyrea

Origin:
Mediterranean region (southern Europe, northern Africa).

Description:
Evergreen shrub up to 4 m tall. Leaves oval to lance-shaped, thick, finely toothed margins, prominent central vein. Small greenish flowers bloom March–May at leaf bases. Fruit is a small black berry (5–7 mm), ripening in autumn.

Propagation:
By seeds or semi-woody cuttings in summer. Seeds germinate slowly but naturally.

Ecology:
Typical of Mediterranean maquis. Thrives on dry, sunny, calcareous soils, hillsides, forest edges, and scrublands.

Uses:
Ornamental shrub in hedges or Mediterranean landscaping. No known edible or medicinal use.

Threats:
Listed as Least Concern. Stable species but locally sensitive to habitat loss and wildfires.

Creative writing inspired by Phillyrea media

The filaria

In a magical forest lived an elf whom no one approached or loved. Neither man nor beast. Everyone avoided him because he had strange features and was afraid when they saw him. But the elf was kind and tried to help anyone in need.

In the village next to the forest, a disease broke out, causing a high fever in all the inhabitants. The elf discovered the illness and tried to find a cure to save the village. He made various herbs from the seeds of different plants he found, but none of them helped, and they lost faith in him.

One evening, while out for a walk, he spotted a cave that aroused his curiosity. He goes inside and sees a particular plant, the filaria. He goes to pick some to save the village, but he can't because guards are watching it. However, they are unaware of his presence and he tries to distract them. He throws stones in different places to keep them away.

They leave and he has time to pick up two bags of filaria. He leaves quickly and moves away from the cave. Back home, he prepares some magic herbs from the plant he's picked. He brings it to the village and, although the villagers are initially reluctant to try it, they see they have no choice and drink it. Thanks to filaria, everyone's fever subsides. The plant is said to have medicinal properties, which is why the guards have protected it. All the villagers thank the elf for saving them, and he gives them the last samples of filaria to plant and keep it close to them in case they need to use it.

3D Interactive View

Authentic Specimen