Encyclopedia · Oleaceae · Olea europaea
Olea europaea (Olea europaea)
Olea europaea
Olea · Oleaceae

The olive (botanical name Olea europaea, "European olive") is a species of subtropical evergreen tree in the family Oleaceae. Originating in Asia Minor, it is abundant throughout the Mediterranean Basin, with wild subspecies in Africa and western Asia; modern cultivars are traced primarily to the Near East, Aegean Sea, and Strait of Gibraltar.

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Classification

Genus
Olea
Family
Oleaceae
Climate
temperate, subtropical

Olea europaea belongs to the Olea genus within the Oleaceae family. It performs reliably across temperate, subtropical zones in our experience.

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Cultivation

Care sheet.

Water
Moderate
Light
Full sun to part shade
Soil
Well-drained
Growth rate
Moderate
Mature size
Varies by species
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Cultivars

Selected named varieties and which job each is best suited to.

'Kalamata'

'Manzanillo'

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Companions

Species we plant alongside Olea europaea.

Olea europea (Olea europea)
Olea europea

Olea europea

Ophiopogon japonicas (Ophiopogon japonicas)
grassshade
Ophiopogon japonicas

Ophiopogon japonicas

Ophiopogon japonicus (Ophiopogon japonicus)
grassshade
Ophiopogon japonicus

Ophiopogon japonicus

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Further reading

  1. 01
    Olea europaea taxon photographAtlas of Living Australia image service