Hybrid Olive/Jolpai Live Fruit Plant & Tree For Your Home Ga..More

Here is a clear and comprehensive description of the olive plant:

Olive Plant Description
The olive plant (Olea europaea) is an evergreen tree or shrub native to the Mediterranean region, parts of Asia, and Africa. It is widely cultivated for its fruit (olives) and oil, and is one of the oldest known cultivated trees in the world.

Key Characteristics:
Growth Habit:

A slow-growing, long-lived evergreen tree.

Typically reaches 4–10 meters (13–33 feet) in height but can grow taller under optimal conditions.

Has a gnarled, twisted trunk with a wide, open canopy.

Leaves:

Opposite, narrow, and lance-shaped (about 4–10 cm long).

Silvery-green on top and grayish-white underneath due to fine hairs, helping reduce water loss.

Flowers:

Small, creamy white, fragrant flowers appear in spring.

Grow in clusters (panicles) from the leaf axils.

Usually wind-pollinated; both self-fertile and cross-pollinating varieties exist.

Fruit:

The fruit is a drupe (stone fruit), typically green when unripe, turning purple to black when ripe.

Olives are harvested at different stages for table use or oil production.

Bitter when raw; must be cured or processed before eating.

Bark and Wood:

Bark is gray, becoming rough and deeply fissured with age.

Wood is dense, durable, and beautifully grained, often used in carving and fine furniture.

Growing Conditions:
Climate: Thrives in Mediterranean-type climates — hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Soil: Prefers well-drained, alkaline to neutral soils; tolerates poor, rocky soil but not waterlogging.

Sunlight: Requires full sun (at least 6 hours daily).

Watering: Drought-tolerant once established, but moderate irrigation improves yield.

Uses:
Culinary:

Fruit is used for eating and oil extraction.

Olive oil is a staple in many cuisines and valued for its health benefits.

Cultural & Symbolic:

A symbol of peace, wisdom, and longevity.

Frequently used in religious and ceremonial contexts.

Ornamental:

Popular in landscaping for its aesthetic foliage and rustic appearance.

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