Native olive, Australian olive
Olea paniculata

Family: Oleaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 6-25 m tall and spreads 5-12 m wide. Young growth is shiny. The branches are compressed. The leaf stalk is 1.5-3 cm long. The leaf blade is oval and 8.5-18 cm long by 3.5-6.5 cm wide. They are dark green and shiny above and paler underneath. They are papery. The leaves taper to the tip. The flowers are 0.3-0.4 cm across. They are greenish-white. The flowers are bisexual. The fruit ripens yellow-brown. It is 0.8-1.2 cm long by 0.6-0.8 cm wide.

There are over 40 Olea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows along streams and in dry rainforests. It needs well drained soil. It can tolerate light frost. In China it grows in moist valleys between 1200-2400 m altitude in S China. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Asia, China, East Timor, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kashmir, Lord Howe Island, Malaysia, Nepal, New Caledonia, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Manna

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed. It can also be grown from cuttings.

Plants are quick growing.

Its other names

Local names

Marblewood, Marvey, Maulwood, Xian ye mu xi lan

Synonyms

Ligustrum neoebudicum Gillaumin; Linociera lauterbachii Lingelsh.; Linociera yunnanensis H. T. Chang; Olea bournei Fyson; Olea glandulifera Desfontaines; Olea glandulosa DC.; Olea thozettii Pancher & Sebert;