Silverknob Olive

This large shrub grows up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 103 years old. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has many branched, wonky stems covered in very thick, knobbly, silver bark, and the wood inside is white.

The branches are short, rigid and upright with dozens of twigs that and are covered with small amounts of tiny, 2 pointed, leaves with wavy edges. The leaves themselves are found in caramel, light grey and bronze varieties, robust and waxy.

In mid-spring it produces many tiny, light purple blossoms with teardrop-shaped shaped petals. They detach easily and have a weak scent that smells like wet dog.

In late autumn tiny circular fruits ripen. The hairy yellow skin is tough and inedible, and the soft crimson flesh is salty and sour and very juicy. The olive seeds are large and are located in the centre of the fruit.