Olea paniculata R.Br.

Growth Form

Olea paniculata R.Br. grows as a bushy tree reaching up to 30 m (98 ft) tall, and often has a sparse canopy.

Trunk Characteristics

Its trunk has smooth grey-brown bark, reaches a maximum diameter of 90 cm (35 in), and may have some buttressing.

Leaf Description

The shiny green leaves are ovate to elliptical in shape, measuring 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) long and 1.5–6 cm (0.59–2.36 in) wide, with a pointed acuminate tip.

Fruit Description

Its oval blue-black fruits are 0.8–1.2 cm (0.3–0.5 in) long, and ripen from May to September.

Similar Species

This species resembles the introduced weedy African olive, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata. The introduced species differs by lacking the small depressions between the main and secondary leaf veins found on the underside of Olea paniculata leaves, and it grows in disturbed areas such as roadsides and waterways.

Australian Distribution

Olea paniculata ranges from northeastern Queensland to the area near the Hunter Region in New South Wales, Australia. Within Australia, it grows near watercourses in dry rainforests.

Yunnan Distribution

Outside Australia, it occurs in southwestern China’s Yunnan province, where it grows in sheltered wetter valleys at altitudes between 1,200–2,400 m (3,900–7,900 ft).

Broader Distribution

It is also found in India, Indonesia, Kashmir, Malaysia, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Island Distribution

On Lord Howe Island it is widespread below approximately 500 m (1,600 ft) elevation, and it also grows on New Caledonia and Vanuatu.

Fruit Consumers

In Australia, the fruit of Olea paniculata is eaten by the Australian king parrot, brown cuckoo-dove, topknot pigeon, rose-crowned fruit-dove, wompoo fruit-dove, white-headed pigeon, green catbird, and regent bowerbird.

Cultivation Requirements

It acts as a fast-growing pioneer species on sunny protected sites, and requires well drained soil for healthy growth.

Ecological Role

It is a butterfly host plant, and its black fruit attracts birds.

Traditional Use

Aboriginal Australians traditionally ate its fruit.