| Olea capensis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Oleaceae |
| Genus: | Olea |
| Species: | O. capensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Olea capensis |
|
Olea capensis, the Black Ironwood tree, is an African tree species belonging to the olive family (Oleaceae). Olea capensis is widespread in Africa. It is found almost throughout Africa south of the Sahara from the east in Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan, south to the tip of South Africa, and west to Cameroon. Sierra Leone, and the Islands of the Gulf of Guinea. It occurs in bush, littoral scrub and evergreen forest.
Olea capensis is known by a variety of common names including: [1]
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Olea capensis is a bushy shrub, or a small to medium sized tree, up to 10 metres (33 ft) in height, occasionally reaching 40 metres (130 ft).[1]
The species has been divided into 3 subspecies:[1]
Olea capensis has masses of sweetly-scented bisexual flowers, that produce large edible fruits.
The wood of the tree is very hard, fine grained, and heavy, and although difficult to work, it is widely used for art and artifacts.
Olea capensis is cultivated as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens.