Wild olive, Africa Olive
Olea europaea subsp. africana

Family: Oleaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub or tree. It can be 14 m tall. The trunk is single, sturdy and straight. Roots stretch for many metres. Trunks can be 4 m across. The bark is rough and dark. The twigs are covered with small raised dots. The leaves are slender and opposite. They are 1.9-9 cm long and 0.7-1.3 cm wide. They are sword shaped. They taper to the tips. They are usually dark green above and paler below. The under-surface has silver scales. The flowers are small and green. They have a faint scent. They occur in short branched sprays in the axils of leaves. The fruit is about 1 cm long and oblong. They are green and turn black. The fruit are edible. There is a single seed.

There are over 20-40 Olea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can grow on a large range of soils and in many climates. It will grow in alkaline soils. It is drought resistant. It often grows near running water. It grows between 1,499-2,450 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Botswana, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten. They are a substitute for olives. The leaves can be soaked in boiling water to make tea. The leaves are used as a condiment.

Edible parts

Fruit pulp, leaves - tea, flowers

How it is grown

It is easily grown. It can be raised from seed or hardwood cuttings. Fresh seed should be used. Seeds germinate in 8-12 days. Annual pruning stimulates growth. Commercial olives can be grafted onto it.

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Brown olive, Emuropepe, Golden-leaved olive, Kang'o, Mlamuru, Mohlware, Motlhware, Muguma, Mupfungo, Mutamaiyu, Muthata, Mutiba, Oliviera africana, Swartolien, Swartoleen, Swartolienhout, Umhlwanti, Umnquma, Umquma, Umuunzenze, Weger, Wilde-olyf

Synonyms

Olea africana Mill.; Olea chrysophylla Lam.; Olea buxifolia Mill.; Olea verrucosa (Willd.) Link.