Olea capensis

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iOlea capensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Oleaceae Genus: Olea Species: O. capensis
Binomial name
Olea capensis

Olea capensis is an African tree species belonging to the olive family (Oleaceae). Olea capensis is widespread in Africa, ranging west to Cameroon north to Sudan and Somalia, east to the Indian Ocean, and south to South Africa.

It is known by a variety of common names, including Ysterhout, Black Ironwood, Small Ironwood, East African Olive, Elgon Olive, Ironwood, Ironwood Olive, Loliondo, Mushargi, Loliondo, Mutharage, and Mutharagi.

The wood of the tree is very hard, fine grained, and heavy, and although difficult to work, it is widely used for art and artefacts.