Olea europaea (140-200)

Origin
The Olea europaea, also known as the European olive tree, has its roots in the Mediterranean area. It is one of the oldest cultivated plants, with archaeological evidence that olive seeds and wood date back to the early Minoan era on Crete, around 3500 BC. Over the centuries, the Olea europaea has spread across large parts of Africa, Asia and Australia.

Characteristics
The Olea europaea is an evergreen tree or shrub, which can grow up to 15 metres high. This plant is mainly known for its fruit, the olive, an edible stone fruit. The leaves of the plant are narrow and silver-green in colour, while the flowers are small, white and fragrant. The trunk of the tree is silver-grey to almost black and becomes rough and split with age.

Care
Olea europaea thrives in a sunny, warm environment and prefers well-drained soil. It is a drought-tolerant plant, which means it can tolerate a bit of neglect in terms of watering. Young trees should be watered regularly in the first years after planting. Pruning is usually done to maintain shape and to stimulate fruit production. The olive tree is also hardy, but must be protected from frost and cold winds.