olive tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• olive
• oliveleaf
• small-fruit olive

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales. Finally, it resides in the family Oleaceae under the genus Olea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Olea europaea, exhibits a notable presence across several key regions of Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing within the Balearic Islands, specifically known as Baleares. Furthermore, its distribution extends to the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardegna. The species is also widely established throughout the mainland territory of France. Finally, its geographical range continues southward into the coastal regions of Portugal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Olea europaea is characterized by its ability to thrive across a significant altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 2620 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range of approximately 520 m AMSL. It is commonly found within dry upland evergreen forest environments, frequently occupying forest edges or surviving in isolated remnants. In these ecosystems, the species is often found in close association with Juniperus, indicating a preference for similar Mediterranean-style scrublands or open woodland habitats.

Elevational range max:

2620 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

520 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

dry upland evergreen forest (edges, remnants), often associated with Juniperus

Life history

The life history of Olea europaea is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist and thrive over many decades or even centuries. As a phanerophyte, it develops a robust woody structure where its reproductive buds are elevated well above the ground, providing significant resilience to environmental stressors. The plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional throughout the seasons, which facilitates continuous photosynthetic activity. Depending on its specific ecological niche and growth habit, it may also exhibit characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its diverse morphological adaptability within its habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Olea europaea is characterized by its growth form, which typically manifests as a woody tree or a shrub. It is a self-supporting, non-climbing plant that functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in size; it can be found as a smaller specimen measuring approximately 1 meter in height, but it typically reaches a mean height of about 7.67 meters, with mature individuals capable of reaching a maximum height of 15 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

7.66666666666667 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Olea europaea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a distinct leaf morphology optimized for its environment. The leaves exhibit an opposite arrangement and are elliptic in form with entire margins, notably lacking leaf thorns despite the presence of leaf spines. Morphological dimensions of the foliage vary, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, maintaining a mean length of 3.75 cm. The width of the leaves is similarly variable, spanning from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm, with a mean width of 1 cm. Furthermore, the Specific Leaf Area (SLA) serves as a key physiological indicator, with values ranging from a minimum of 53.37645761 cm²/g to a maximum of 55.42311242 cm²/g, and a calculated mean SLA of 50.0498925075 cm²/g. Additionally, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer.

Leaf arrangement :

opposite

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.75 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

yes

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) max:

55.42311242 cm²/g

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

50.0498925075 cm²/g

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

53.37645761 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Olea europaea is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering cycle typically commences in April and extends through June, featuring small, white flowers that range in width from 0.5 cm to 0.8 cm. These flowers are arranged in paniculate inflorescences, which are relatively small, measuring between 0.01 m and 0.04 m in length. The pollination syndrome is biotic, specifically involving insects. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a fleshy, indehiscent fruit type known as a drupe. These fruits, which eventually turn black in color, vary in size with a mean length of 1.2825 cm (ranging from 0.7 cm to 2.5 cm) and a mean width of 0.97 cm (ranging from 0.9 cm to 2 cm). The dispersal syndrome is zoochorous, relying on animals for seed distribution. Each fruit contains a seed with a mean mass of approximately 0.183169 g (ranging from 0.05438 g to 0.625 g), a mean length of 15.5 mm, and a mean width of 10 mm. The seed volume is consistently recorded at 290 mm³.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower colour :

white

Flower width max:

0.8 cm

Flower width min:

0.5 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit colour :

black

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

2.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.2825 cm

Fruit length min:

0.7 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.97 cm

Fruit width min:

0.9 cm

Inflorescence :

panicle

Inflorescence length max:

0.04 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.01 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

15.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.625 g

Seed mass mean:

0.183169 g

Seed mass min:

0.05438 g

Seed volume max:

290 mm³

Seed width mean:

10 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Olea europaea has 2 reported plant parts identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Chemistry & biodiversity
4. Planta medica
5. Frontiers in veterinary science

Stem

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Helminthologia

Chemicals

Olea europaea has 179 reported phytochemicals identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Oleuropein, Hydroxytyrosol, Maslinic acid, OLEANOLIC ACID, Tyrosol.

Oleuropein

1. Dr. Duke
2. Heliyon
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. International journal of molecular sciences
5. PloS one

Hydroxytyrosol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Heliyon
3. International journal of molecular sciences
4. Food chemistry
5. Pharmaceutical biology

Maslinic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of kidney cancer and VHL
3. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
4. Computers in biology and medicine
5. Steroids

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Current medicinal chemistry
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Tyrosol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food chemistry
3. Parasite (Paris, France)
4. Journal of functional biomaterials
5. PloS one

polyphenols

1. The Journal of nutritional biochemistry
2. Journal of cellular and molecular medicine
3. Journal of the science of food and agriculture
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Journal of medicinal food

Flavonoids

1. Heliyon
2. Journal of medicinal food
3. Biotechnology reports (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
4. Biomolecules
5. Food science & nutrition

Verbascoside

1. Dr. Duke
2. Heliyon
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Current nutrition reports
5. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Luteolin 7-O-glucoside

1. Dr. Duke
2. PloS one
3. Chemistry & biodiversity
4. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

RUTIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
4. PloS one

Activities

Olea europaea has 491 reported activities identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ovarian research
3. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
4. Chemistry & biodiversity
5. Bioscience reports

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Hellenic journal of nuclear medicine
3. Steroids
4. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
5. Biomolecules

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
3. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
4. Biomolecules

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Steroids
3. Biomolecules
4. International journal of environmental health research

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Current nutrition reports
3. Helminthologia
4. PloS one

Antihypertensive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke
2. Recent patents on inflammation & allergy drug discovery
3. Journal of food biochemistry

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of wound care
2. PloS one
3. Environmental science and pollution research international

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Saudi journal of biological sciences
3. Steroids

Gastroprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Food science & nutrition

Conditions

Olea europaea has 104 reported investigations on conditions identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, inflammation, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, diabetes mellitus.

Cancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry
3. Current nutrition reports
4. Helminthologia
5. Biomolecules

Inflammation

1. Drug discovery today
2. Biomolecules
3. The American journal of Chinese medicine
4. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
5. Inflammopharmacology

Covid-19

1. PloS one
2. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine
3. Saudi journal of biological sciences
4. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Sars-cov-2

1. Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.)
2. PloS one
3. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
4. Computers in biology and medicine

Diabetes mellitus

1. Complementary therapies in clinical practice
2. The Pan African medical journal
3. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Oxidative damage

1. Journal of the science of food and agriculture
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
3. Life (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Cardiovascular toxicology

Oxidative stress

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
4. Biomolecules

Candida albicans

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
3. Current drug targets

Breast cancer

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. PloS one
3. Cancers

Wound healing

1. Journal of wound care
2. Wounds : a compendium of clinical research and practice
3. Inflammopharmacology

Preparations

Olea europaea has 21 reported preparations identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extracts, olive leaf extracts, plant extracts, OE oil, Olea europaea leaf extract.

Aqueous extracts

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Olive leaf extracts

1. Journal of chromatography. A
2. Cells

Plant extracts

1. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
2. Materials (Basel, Switzerland)

Oe oil

1. Nutritional neuroscience

Olea europaea leaf extract

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Olea europaea leaves

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Solvent fractions

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Stem bark of olea europaea was extracted with 80% methanol

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Tlc-isolated compounds

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Butanol fraction

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM