Olea europaea
Olea europaea
Afrikaans: Olyf, Olienhout
English : Olive
IsiXhosa: Umquma
Description and diagnostic features
It is medium sized tree with oblong grey-green leaves. The grey sheen is from the most beautiful microscopic hairs on the leaves that look like tiny umbrellas. The wild form of olive in South Africa is genetically similar to the European form. The European form has just been selected for large fruits.
Part used
Leaves.
Forked branches.
Uses
The leaves are used for steaming and inhaling to open nose and reduce high blood pressure. It is high blood pressure caused by secretive behaviour that can be treated by olive leaves.
Warning
None that I know of.
Habitat
The olive does not do well in all soil types. It is notable that these trees always do well where they grow next to granite outcrops. There is more than extra water runoff involved. There must be some nutrients that are released from the granite.
Propagation
The olive readily grows from seed.
