Olinia emarginata is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree, with attractive flowers and berries which makes for an attractive garden ornamental, however propagation of this tree is very difficult.

It can be a single- or multi-stemmed tree, with glossy green foliage which forms a nice round crown. This crown is often wider than the height of the tree. It can also be multi-stemmed shrub.

Olinia emarginata originates in Kwa-Zulu Natal, the Drakensberg and Gauteng, where it is fairly widespread. It grows in mountain forests, in kloofs and gullies, in protected wooded ravines and riverine fringes, and occasionally on rocky hill slopes in high-altitude grasslands.

These Trees can withstand frost but not drought.

The leaves are glossy dark green above, pale green and dull below, they are hairless and give off a faint smell of almonds when crushed, indicating the release of cyanide.

The leaves are opposite, simple, entire-margined, oblong to lanceolate. The tip of the leaves is rounded, notched and is usually tinged with pink or red.

The Upper surface of leaves is glossy dark green and shiny. The lower surface is much lighter and net veining is more visible here. Lateral veins loop once before reaching the margin. The Midrib may be reddish.

The flowers are very small, pale to dark pink in colour, and are slightly fragrant. Flowers are in loose, axillary heads that are usually more than half as long as the leaves. Flowering time is from spring to summer.