Devilwood is a small, evergreen tree or shrub with a spreading, rounded canopy. It is native to the southeastern United States. It grows in woodlands, along stream banks and in scrublands. Devilwood is related to the edible Eurasian olive tree. It has very hard, tough wood that is difficult to work so it got the name devilwood because the wood is bedeviling to work. Devilwood has a short, leaning or crooked trunk and large, bright green or dark green leaves. The leaves are in pairs on the branches and they are thick, leathery and glossy. In the early spring, small, four-petaled white flowers bloom in small clusters at the twig ends. The immature flower clusters develop on the twigs during the previous season and they remain dormant on the twigs until the following spring. In the summer and autumn, oval, olive-like fruits develop on the twigs. The fruits are purple or black and they are eaten by birds and other wildlife. It is deer resistant and is tolerant of drought, salt and poor soils. Hardy in zones 5-9.