Olive

About

Olea europaea, the olive tree, is a small evergreen native to the Mediterranean. It’s famous for its olives, which yield the renowned olive oil used widely in Mediterranean cooking.

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The Appearance

Olive trees are small, evergreen trees with a gnarled trunk and silvery-green leaves. They can grow up to 30 feet tall but are often smaller.

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The Produce

During late spring to early summer, it produces fragrant white flowers in clusters that develop into olives of varying sizes and colours.

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The Flowers

They produce small, white to creamy-yellow flowers in clusters, which are fragrant and attract pollinators.

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The Leaves

The leaves showcase a subtle yet captivating grey-green hue, while the underside shimmers with a silvery grey tone.

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The Bark

The bark is smooth and gray when young, becoming more fissured and rough with age.

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The Habitat

Native to the Mediterranean region, they thrive in warm, dry climates with well-drained soil.

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The Ecology

Olive trees support a variety of wildlife, including insects that pollinate their flowers and birds that eat their fruit.

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The Culture

Olives are of immense cultural and economic importance, primarily grown for their fruit, which is used to produce olive oil, a staple in many cuisines.

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