Olea europaea subsp. africana - African Olive, Wild Olive Seeds

Description

Olea europaea subsp. africana (commonly known as Wild Olive) is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree belonging to the Oleaceae family. It is native to Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and some parts of the Indian subcontinent. This subspecies is closely related to the cultivated olive (Olea europaea subsp. europaea), but it is naturally occurring and not domesticated for large-scale fruit production.

The tree typically grows 2 to 12 meters tall, with a dense, rounded crown and a gnarled trunk that becomes twisted with age. The bark is grey and rough, often deeply fissured in older specimens. Leaves are simple, opposite, narrow, and leathery, with a glossy dark green upper surface and a paler, silvery underside, helping reduce water loss in dry climates.

In spring to early summer, the tree produces small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers in loose clusters. These are followed by small, ovoid fruits (drupes) that ripen from green to purple-black. Although the fruits are smaller and have less flesh than cultivated olives, they serve as an important food source for birds and wildlife.