Encyclopedia · Oleaceae · Olea europaea
Olea europaea
Common Olive
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.
02
Classification
Genus
Olea
Family
Oleaceae
Common name
Common Olive
Climate
temperate, subtropical
Olea europaea belongs to the Olea genus within the Oleaceae family. It performs reliably across temperate, subtropical zones in our experience.
03
Cultivation
Care sheet.
Water
Moderate
Light
Full sun to part shade
Soil
Well-drained
Growth rate
Moderate
Mature size
Varies by species
04
Cultivars
Selected named varieties and which job each is best suited to.
'Kalamata'
'Manzanillo'
05
Companions
Species we plant alongside Common Olive.
06
Further reading
- 01Olea europaea taxon photograph — Atlas of Living Australia image service