Feral olive tree, Acebuche

Description:

The acebuche (Olea europaea var. sylvestris) is a wild olive tree that differs fromthe cultivated one because it has a more bushy look, oval leaves,is smaller prduces much smaller fruits. It forms part of the mediterranean forest accompanying Holm, cork and portuguese oaks (Quercus ilex, Q. suber and Q. faginea), or shrubland together with Pistacia lentiscus, myrtle (Myrtus communis), strawberry tree (arbutus unedo) and common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). It grows in any kind of soil and resists very well hot weather. It is very sensitive to cold weather, specially frosts. Olive cultivars are infertile with acebuche. Acebuche is nowadays of growing interest in recovering mediterranean forest due to its fast growing although the seeds are difficult to grow in plant nurseries.

Habitat:

Mediterranean forest. Parque Nacional de Monfragüe