Contents
Description
Olea Europaea Subsp. Europaea, commonly known as the European olive, is a small evergreen tree that is native to the Mediterranean region. It can grow up to 10 meters in height, but is usually pruned to a smaller size for cultivation. The tree has a twisted trunk and gnarled branches with silvery-grey leaves that are oblong in shape. It produces small, creamy-white flowers that bloom in the spring and early summer, followed by small green olives that ripen to a dark purple colour in the fall.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Oleaceae |
| Genus | Olea |
Appearance
The European olive tree has a distinctive appearance due to its twisted trunk and gnarled branches. The leaves are silvery-grey in colour and oblong in shape, with a smooth texture on top and a slightly hairy underside. The tree produces small, creamy-white flowers that bloom in the spring and early summer, followed by small green olives that ripen to a dark purple colour in the fall. The fruit is oval-shaped and contains a single seed.
Care Guide
The European olive tree requires well-drained soil and lots of sunlight, and can survive in a range of hardiness zones from 8 to 11. It is drought-tolerant and does not require frequent watering, but should be watered deeply when the soil is dry. Fertilization should be done in the spring and fall with a balanced fertilizer. Pruning should be done in the winter to shape the tree and remove any dead or diseased branches.
Common Pests & Diseases
The European olive tree is susceptible to a few common pests and diseases, including olive knot, peacock spot, and olive fly. Olive knot is a bacterial disease that causes the formation of galls on the branches and trunk of the tree. Peacock spot is a fungal disease that causes yellow spots on the leaves. Olive fly is a pest that lays its eggs in the olives, causing them to rot. These pests and diseases can be controlled with proper pruning and the use of insecticides and fungicides.
Habitat
The European olive tree is native to the Mediterranean region, where it grows in dry, rocky soil that is well-drained. It is also cultivated in other parts of the world, including California, Australia, and South Africa, where the climate is similar to the Mediterranean region.
Question and Answer
Q: How tall can the European olive tree grow?
A: The European olive tree can grow up to 10 meters in height, but is usually pruned to a smaller size for cultivation.
Q: What is the best time of year to fertilize the European olive tree?
A: Fertilization should be done in the spring and fall with a balanced fertilizer.
Q: What is olive knot?
A: Olive knot is a bacterial disease that causes the formation of galls on the branches and trunk of the tree.
Q: Where is the European olive tree native to?
A: The European olive tree is native to the Mediterranean region.
Related Plants
- Olea Europaea Subsp. Africana
- Olea Europaea Subsp. Cuspidata
- Olea Europaea Subsp. Maroccana
- Olea Europaea Subsp. Laperrinei
References
- “Olea europaea subsp. europaea” – Plants of the World Online, Kew Science. Accessed April 22, 2021. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60469780-2
- “Olea europaea” – Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed April 22, 2021. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a526
- “Olive” – University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Accessed April 22, 2021. https://ucanr.edu/sites/UrbanAg/Commercial_Orchard_Production/Tree_Crops/Olive/
