Common Name: Olive

Scientific Name: Olea europaea

Family: Oleaceae

Identification
Habit: The average height of the olive tree ranges from 20-30 ft (6–9 m) tall. The spread of the tree is 15-25 ft (4.5-7.5 m). Crown has an oval shape.
Leaves: Leaves of the olive tree are thick, leathery, and lance shaped. The leaves are oppositely arranged. Towards the top of the tree the leaves are a bright green color. The lower leaves are dark green.
Twigs & Bark: When the tree is young, it has smooth, grey bark. As the tree ages the bark becomes rough and the trunk of the tree often twists. The twigs of the tree are smooth.

Flowers & Fruits: Flowers on the olive tree grow in small clusters which usually include 15 to 30 small, white, and fragrant flowers. The fruit (olive) is a drupe that is on average 0.8-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) long. A central pit encloses the seed. A mature seed is covered with a thin, oil-rich fruit that is a black or purplish color.
Where it’s from
Native Range: The olive tree is native across the Mediterranean region, as well as Africa and Asia. It grows best in Mediterranean-type climates. The Chaparral biome that the olive trees live in have warm/dry summers with mild/wet winters.
Ecological Notes: The seeds of the olive tree are dispersed by birds. Some diseases the tree is susceptible to are verticillium wilt, olive knot, diplodia canker, leaf spot, and fruit mummification.

What we use it for
Olive trees have been cultivated for its fruit and oil for thousands of years. Olives and olive oil are used and sold mainly for cooking as it is used in a large number of dishes. In 2016/2017, about 2.63 million metric tons of olive oil was consumed. The wood of the olive tree is also commonly used in high-end furniture, veneer, and turned objects.

References

1. “Olea Europaea.” Olea Europaea - Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden, www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx? taxonid=283004&isprofile=0&.
2. “Olive.” Olive, Olea Europaea, Plant Facts - Eden Project, Eden Project, www.edenproject.com/learn/for-everyone/plant-profiles/olive.
3. “Olive Photos and Facts.” Arkive, Wildscreen Arkive, www.arkive.org/olive/olea-europaea/.
4. “Olea Europaea.” Issg Database: Ecology of Olea Europaea, Global Invasive Species Database, issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=1585&fr=1&sts=&lang=EN.
5. “Olive Tree Diseases and Pests.” Olive Trees For Sale | SWG Olive Trees 4 Sale, 2 May 2017, swgtrees.com/index.php/2017/05/03/olive-tree-diseases-and-pests/.
6. “Vegetable Oils: Global Consumption, 2017/18 | Statistic.” Statista, www.statista.com/statistics/263937/vegetable-oils-global-consumption/.
   “Koroeiki Greek Olive on Fast Growing Trees Nursery.” Fast Growing Trees Nursery, 23 July 2015, www.fast-growing-trees.com/Greek-Olive-Tree.htm.
7. “The Olive Tree.” Characteristics of the Olive Tree., www.sabor-artesano.com/gb/olive-tree-characteristics.htm.
8. “Olive.” The Wood Database, www.wood-database.com/olive/.

Biographer
Isaiah Archuleta ’21, FYS 20: Plants in Our World, Fall 2017