African Olive

African Olive

Botanical name: Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata

Common name: African olive, wild olive

Indigenous

The beauty and versatility of the African olive tree is understated. A resilient evergreen tree reaching up to 15 meters in height, the African Olive boasts a charming rounded crown and distinctive grey-green foliage. Its rough grey or dark brown bark adds character, often with a uniquely crooked trunk.

With its small, white to cream flowers adorning branched heads and oval, purple, bitter-sweet fruits, this tree offers a multitude of uses. From firewood and charcoal for calabash cleaning to timber for construction, and carvings, the African olive tree’s applications are vast. The wood is much-prized and durable, with a strong smell similar to bay rum, this tree is used for fine furniture and turnery. It is also cultivated as an ornamental tree for parks and gardens.

Notably cherished by the Maasai for crafting sturdy rungu clubs and supporting traditional house roofs, this tree holds cultural significance beyond its practical utility. Its branches, when burned, infuse soups with delightful flavor and fragrance, while also serving as ceremonial symbols of blessings, peace, and luck.

While its fruit may not yield olive oil like its Mediterranean counterpart, Olea europaea, the African Olive remains a cherished part of indigenous cultures, offering shade, sustenance, and a rich tapestry of tradition for millennia.