Olive

This modest-sized fruit tree grows up to 14 feet (4.3 meters) tall and lives for up to 35 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 55 years old. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has a thick, twisting trunk covered in smooth, black bark, and inside, the soft wood is yellow.

The branches trail down across the ground and are covered with very large amounts of huge, 3 pointed leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are olive on the sides and deep yellow at the center.

In early spring, it produces clusters of small, white blossoms with cylindrical shaped petals. They are very delicate and have a strong scent that smells like petrol.

In early summer it produces , triangular fruit. The smooth lilac skin is stretchy and edible when roasted; it is extremely savoury, and the crunchy olive flesh is sweet and juicy. The olive seeds are tiny and are scattered throughout the fruit.

The roots are shallow and widely spread, and overall the tree is rigid and weak, and breaks apart easily.

Forests of this species feature the trees packed together, with patches of undergrowth between them.