Oleaceae
Olea woodiana subsp. disjuncta
Forest Olive
T
Available in our catalogue
We propagate this species and you can order it from our catalogue.
View in catalogue →About
An evergreen tree typically growing 4 to 17 meters tall, occasionally reaching 30 meters, with dark green, glossy leaves. It features whitish or pale beige bark that can be smooth or fluted, and produces small, fragrant white flowers. These develop into oval, black, bird-dispersed fruits. This East African subspecies shows adaptations to drier conditions, such as more leathery leaves, and is found in coastal and low-elevation hill forests.
Where it works in Kilifi
Ideal for a Kilifi-coast garden in full sun to partial shade, this medium-sized to tall tree serves well as a specimen or for providing shade. It thrives in well-drained soils and is suitable for woodland or coastal thicket restoration.
Growing notes
This subspecies is adapted to drier conditions, indicating moderate drought tolerance once established. As an evergreen, it is long-lived, though its specific growth rate is not detailed, other Olea species are known for slow growth.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: grokipedia.com, wikipedia.org, mozambiqueflora.com, kew.org, encyclo.co.uk, nih.gov. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.