Olive

What does Olive look like?

Olive trees are medium-sized evergreens, often reaching up to 10 meters tall. Their trunks are usually thick and gnarled, with bark that appears grey and rough. The leaves are narrow, with a silvery-green upper surface and a lighter underside. In spring, small clusters of creamy white to yellowish flowers appear among the leaves. The fruit is a small, oval drupe that matures from green to black or purple, depending on the variety. Wild olives have smaller, thinner-fleshed fruit than cultivated types.

Where does Olive come from?

The olive tree has its roots in the Mediterranean, with fossil evidence pointing to its presence there millions of years ago. Early humans used wild olives for food and fuel in North Africa. Cultivation began in the eastern Mediterranean several thousand years ago, and the tree spread westward with trade and migration. Spanish settlers introduced olives to the Americas in the 1700s, and they reached Japan in the early 20th century. Today, olives are grown in many regions with a Mediterranean-like climate.

When and how Olive blooms

Olive trees grow best in sunny, dry places with calcareous or rocky soils. They are usually propagated from cuttings or by grafting, as trees grown from seed or suckers do not yield well. Trees are pruned regularly to keep them productive, and can live for centuries. In autumn, olives are picked by hand or shaken from the branches. Most are pressed for oil, while some are cured and eaten as table olives.

How Olive is used

Olives are a staple in Mediterranean diets, eaten whole or pressed for oil. Olive oil is used in cooking and was once used for lighting lamps. The wood is valued for carving and decorative objects. Olive branches have long been a symbol of peace. The tree itself shapes the landscape and traditions of many Mediterranean countries.

Kinds of Olive

There are hundreds of olive cultivars, each with its own fruit size, shape, and oil quality. Some are grown mainly for oil, others for eating, and some for both. Because many types cannot pollinate themselves, growers often plant two or more varieties together. Breeders have developed hybrids with resistance to pests and diseases.

What Olive means

The olive is deeply woven into the history and identity of the Mediterranean. Its branch stands for peace, and its oil is central to regional cuisines. Ancient trees are revered for their age and resilience. The word for 'oil' in many languages comes from the olive. Olive groves are a defining feature of the landscape in countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece.

Where Olive is used and seen

Hanbury botanical gardensA historic Mediterranean botanical garden on the Italian RivieraAgdal GardensHistoric walled orchards and gardens south of Marrakech's old cityMenara GardensA historic orchard and water garden west of Marrakesh, MoroccoJardin botanique exotique de MentonA Mediterranean garden in Menton with rare and exotic plants from around the worldWreathA ring-shaped decoration made from flowers, leaves, or other materialsOlive wreathA crown of wild olive branches given to Olympic victors in ancient GreeceGardens of the WorldA 4.5-acre botanical garden with themed gardens in Thousand Oaks, CaliforniaParadise gardenA walled, symmetrical garden with water channels and fragrant trees

Traditions that use it

Questions people ask about Olive

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• EU warning as olive tree disease spreads in ItalyBBC, Article
• The island making Japan's best olive oilThe Japan Times, Article

• Olive on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data