The Wild olive (Olea europaea L. var. Oleaster), is a plant typically for the Mediterranean.
In the Province of Salerno lives together with the mastic, the carob tree, the juniper and other species of the bush. It 'very durable and has an' exceptional ability to reproduce and it recovers quickly if damaged by fire. The olive tree belongs to the family Oleaceae and is distinguished by its longevity.
It is evergreen and the height is usually no more than 5-6 m. It Is distinguished from the cultivated olive (Olea europea var. European) by the prickly branches, and for the appearance of the shrub which is often shaped by the wind. It has a bark more or less smooth, depending on age it has small white flowers which bloom in March-April. The fruits are small and the colour is first green, then reddish black in maturity. Its wood is hard and compact.
Its fruits, olives are used for oil extraction and, to a lesser extent, for the direct eating because of the bitter taste.
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Notes
Zeffiro Ciuffoletti, Olivo, tesoro del Mediterraneo, Alinari, 2004
Arrigo Bettini, Il millepiante mediterraneo. Guida alle piante mediterranee dei vivai d'Italia, Il millepiante 2009