Family: Oleaceae Form: Tree Origin: Olive is believed to be native to the Mediterranean but because it has been grown there for thousands of years it is impossible to determine precisely where it originated. It was introduced to Australia initially in 1805 and there have been many importations since. It was listed in many Victorian nursery catalogues from the mid 1850s. Weed Type(s): Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Cultivation Escape

Notes: Olive is a long-lived evergreen tree 5-10 m tall with a dense rounded crown. Small white flowers are followed by fleshy fruits containing a single hard seed. Dispersal of seeds is by birds and many seedlings appear near old established trees where grazing is limited or absent.

Olive is now naturalised in South Australia, NSW, Victoria and Western Australia. It is a proclaimed plant in South Australia when not planted and maintained for domestic or commercial use.

To date it is an occasional weed in Canberra however with the establishment of olive plantations it is almost certain to become a major weed in the future.

References:

Randall, R. P. (2002). A Global Compendium of Weeds. R. G. & F.J. Richardson, Melbourne.
Brookes, M. and Barley, R. (1992). Plants Listed in Nursery Catalogues in Victoria 1855 - 1889. Ornamental Plants Collections Association, Melbourne.
Parsons, W. T. and Cuthbertson, E. G. (2001). Noxious Weeds of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria.