Olea woodiana
| Forest olive | |
|---|---|
| In the KwaZulu-Natal Botanical Garden | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Oleaceae |
| Genus: | Olea |
| Species: | O. woodiana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Olea woodiana | |
Olea woodiana, known commonly as the forest olive or black ironwood (Afrikaans: Bosolienhout), is an African tree species belonging to the olive family (Oleaceae).[1] The tree grows in lower-elevation hill forests in Kenya, Tanzania, Eswatini, and South Africa.[2][3]
Description
Olea woodiana is a medium-sized to tall tree.[4] The axillary or terminal inflorescences carry small white flowers that are fragrant.[5] Fruits are produced in the late summer.[4] They are oval-shaped and ripen to a purple-black colour when consumed by birds.[4]
Taxonomy
Olea woodiana belongs to the kingdom Plantae, in the clade Tracheophytes (vascular plants), clade Angiosperms (flowering plants), clade Eudicots, and clade Asterids. It is further classified into the order Lamiales, family Oleaceae, genus Olea, and species Olea Woodiana.[6]
The genus Olea accounts for 11 species, most of which are evergreen trees or shrubs that are adapted to warm temperate and subtropical environments.[6] Olea woodiana is a species distinguished by its place alongside relatives like the well-known olive (Olea europaea), all sharing common evolutionary traits.[6]
Subspecies
There are two recognized subspecies:[3]
- Olea woodiana subsp. disjuncta – Kenya, Tanzania
- Olea woodiana subsp. woodiana – Eswatini, South Africa
The two subspecies were delineated in a taxonomic revision based on their morphological traits, including leaf size, inflorescence structure, and fruit dimensions.[7] The latter subsp. Woodiana is characterized by denser foliage and slightly larger fruits, occurring in more subtropical environments, whereas subsp. Disjuncta is more suited to drier conditions, with more leathery leaves.[7]
Habitat
Olea woodiana is native to eastern and southern Africa, with a scattered population primarily in areas with low elevation. Its range spans the Eastern Tropical Africa area, including Kenya and Tanzania, extending into Southern Africa, reaching into Eswatini and the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape (Cape Provinces), Limpopo (Northern Provinces), and Mpumalanga in South Africa.[6]
References
- ^ "Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie". v.17 (1893). 1893.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Olea woodiana". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
- ^ a b Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families Olea woodiana
- ^ a b c "Olea woodiana". Witbos inheemse kwekery. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
- ^ Encyclopedia of Life treatment: ''Olea woodiana . accessed 2.2.2013
- ^ a b c d "Olea woodiana Knobl. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2026-03-13.
- ^ a b Green, P. S. (2002). "A Revision of Olea L. (Oleaceae)". Kew Bulletin. 57 (1): 91–140. doi:10.2307/4110824. ISSN 0075-5974.