olive: Olea europaea (Scrophulariales: Oleaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

olive	USDA PLANTS Symbol: OLEU U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Hardwood Trees Shrub or Subshrub
Olea europaea L.

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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Scrophulariales: Oleaceae
Native Range: Mediterranean region ()
Appearance Olea europaea is a perennial tree that can grow from 26.2-49.2 ft. (8-15 m) tall. Foliage Leaves are thick, 1.6 in. (4 cm) long, lanceolate, opposite, leathery, somewhat hairy, and dark green on upper surface and greyish green on lower surface. Flowers Flowers are small, yellow to white in color, and clustered in groups of 15-30 flowers. Flowers bloom in early summer. Fruit Fruit is a drupe that is ovoid, 0.8-1 in. (2-2.5 cm) long, and green to blackish violet in color. The edible fruit surrounds the dark violet round seed. Ecological Threat Olea europaea is being grown as a crop in some states. It has escaped cultivation and can be found in disturbed areas including grasslands, scrublands, and urban areas. Olea europaea is native to Africa, Asia-temperate, and Europe.

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Fruit(s); Piero Amorati, ICCroce - Casalecchio di Reno, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; UCDavis gardens Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); UCDavis gardens Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Tree(s); Piero Amorati, ICCroce - Casalecchio di Reno, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage; Piero Amorati, ICCroce - Casalecchio di Reno, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; Piero Amorati, ICCroce - Casalecchio di Reno, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; UCDavis gardens Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; UCDavis gardens Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); UCDavis gardens Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); UCDavis gardens Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Piero Amorati, ICCroce - Casalecchio di Reno, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Esmat M. Hegazi, University of Alexandria, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org

State List
This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law.

U.S. National Parks where reported invasive:

Death Valley National Park (California)

Invasive Listing Sources:

California Invasive Plant Council

Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007

John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.

WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States