Brown olive, Wild olive, African olive, Indian olive
A tropical plant. It occurs in dry forest in East and Southern Africa. It grows between 700 and 3,000 m altitude. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 100-1,200 mm. It can grow in alkaline soil. It can tolerate drought. It can grow in arid places. It suits plant hardiness zones 8-11. Melbourne Botanical gardens.
Also known as:
Ejersa, Kaho, Kahou, Kao, Kaow, Khuna, Mgiwe, Mhagati, Msenefu, Muranganji, Mziaghembe, Nakatimba, Ol orien, Shemaho, Shwawan, Yeger
Synonyms
- Olea europea subsp. africana (Mill.) P. S. Green
- Olea africana Mill.
- Olea cuspidata Wall. ex G. Don
- Olea chrysophylla Lam.
- Olea chrysophylla Lamarck var. ferruginea (Royle) A. Chev.
- Olea chrysophylla var. cuspidata (Wall. ex G. Don) Cif
- Olea europea subsp. ferruginea (Royle) Cif.
Edible Portion
- Fruit - oil, Stems - tea, Leaves - coffee, Leaves - tea, Flowers
Where does Brown olive grow?
Found in: Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, Arabia, Australia, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Central Africa, China, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Norfolk Island, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Reunion, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, United States, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Notes: There are over 40 Olea species.
Status: Leaves are sold in local markets.
Growing Brown olive, Wild olive, African olive, Indian olive
Cultivation: Seeds are produced in low numbers and seeds are slow to germinate. Seedlings are difficult to raise. Seed should be sown fresh and if old seed is used it should be soaked in cold water for 24 hours. Seed can be stored for 2 months.
Edible Uses: The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They also produce oil. They can be bitter. The leaves are used as flavouring in drinks.
Production: Plants are slow growing.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
References
Ashagre, M., et al, 2016, Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Burji District, Segan Area Zone of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2016) 12:32
Cheifetz, A., (ed), 1999, 500 popular vegetables, herbs, fruits and nuts for Australian Gardeners. Random House p 212
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 948
Green, P. S., 2003, Synopsis of the Oleaceae from the Indian Sub-Continent. Kew Bulletin, Vol. 58, No. 2 (2003), pp. 257-295
L'Olivicoltore 19:96. 1942
Flora of Australia Volume 49, Oceanic Islands 1, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra. (1994) p 329
Gemedo-Dalle, T., et al, 2005, Plant Biodiversity and Ethnobotany of Borana Pastoralists in Southern Oromia, Ethiopia. Economic Botany 59(1) pp. 43-65
Grivetti, L. E., 1980, Agricultural development: present and potential role of edible wild plants. Part 2: Sub-Saharan Africa, Report to the Department of State Agency for International Development. p 66 (As Olea chrysophylla)
Katende, A.B., Birnie, A & Tengnas B., 1995, Useful Trees and Shrubs for Uganda. Identification, Propagation and Management for Agricultural and Pastoral Communities. Technical handbook No 10. Regional Soil Conservation Unit, Nairobi, Kenya. p 464
Lovett, J. C. et al, Field Guide to the Moist Forest Trees of Tanzania. p 121
Lulekal, E., et al, 2011, Wild edible plants in Ethiopia: a review on their potential to combat food insecurity. Afrika Focus - Vol. 24, No 2. pp 71-121
Majeed, M., et al, 2021, Gathered Wild Food Plants among Diverse Religious Groups in Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan. Foods 2021, 10, 594.
Mbuya, L.P., Msanga, H.P., Ruffo, C.K., Birnie, A & Tengnas, B., 1994, Useful Trees and Shrubs for Tanzania. Regional Soil Conservation Unit. Technical Handbook No 6. p 366
Regassa, T., et al, 2014, Ethnobotany of Wild and Semi-Wild Edible Plants of Chelia District, West-Central Ethiopia. Science, Technology and Arts Research Journal. 3(4): 122-134
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (1999). Survey of Economic Plants for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SEPASAL) database. Published on the Internet; http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/ceb/sepasal/internet [Accessed 4th May 2011]
Sina, B. & Degu, H. D., 2015, Knowledge and use of Wild Edible Plants in the Hula District of the Sidama Zone. International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management 6(3):352-365
Staples, G.W. and Herbst, D.R., 2005, A tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. p 443