General Question

occ's avatar

What is the name of the tree in San Francisco with tiny white flowers that smell like jasmine?

Asked by occ (4179points) November 26th, 2006
the flowers are tiny--you might not even notice that there are flowers unless you stopped to look. the smell is sublime when the trees are in bloom--about four times a year. Similar to jasmine, but a little more acrid. I have never seen these trees anywhere but SF and would love to know the name.
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7 Answers

AriellaCG's avatar
It might be a Pacific Madrone...but I would need more details
Falimar's avatar
Photinia fraseri (I should italicize this) foe-TIN-ee-uh FRAY-zer-eye
nomtastic's avatar
those flowers smell amazing, but not at all like jasmine. actually.
gailcalder's avatar
Pittosporum? Smells like orange blossoms but should bloom once/year only.
lily's avatar
orange blossoms!
divaricatum's avatar
Can you tell us a bit more: (1) street tree or in the wild? (2) Leaves opposite (in pairs, like a maple) or alternate? (3) Leaves entire (no teeth or lobes) toothed, or lobed? And (4) Where is one exactly (if on a street, address of nearest house/building, if in the wild, where?
occ's avatar

I asked this question over a year ago and finally found out the answer! Gail was right—it is a type of pittosporum: it’s alled Pittosporum Undulatum, or Victorian Box trees! I found out by emailing Friends of the Urban Forest in SF—they are great!

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