Olea europaea - Flora of Qatar

The olive (/ˈɒlɪv/ or /ˈɑːləv/, Olea europaea, meaning "olive from/of Europe") is a species of small tree in the family Oleaceae, found in much of Africa, the Mediterranean Basin from Portugal to the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula, and southern Asia as far east as China, as well as the Canary Islands, Mauritius and Réunion. The species is cultivated in many places and considered naturalized in France, Corsica, Greece, Crimea, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Java, Norfolk Island, California and Bermuda.[+]

The olive's fruit, also called the olive, is of major agricultural importance in the Mediterranean region as the source of olive oil. The tree and its fruit give its name to the plant family, which also includes species such as lilacs, jasmine, Forsythia and the true ash trees (Fraxinus). The word derives from Latin ŏlīva ("olive fruit", "olive tree"; "olive oil" is ŏlĕum) which is cognate with the Greek ἐλαία (elaía, "olive fruit", "olive tree") and ἔλαιον (élaion, "olive oil"). The oldest attested forms of the latter two words in Greek are respectively the Mycenaean ��, e-ra-wa, and ��, e-ra-wo or ��, e-rai-wo, written in the Linear B syllabic script. The word "oil" in multiple languages ultimately derives from the name of this tree and its fruit.

AI-generated Description

Olea europaea, commonly known as the olive tree, is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean region. In Qatar, it is cultivated as an ornamental plant, valued for its attractive silver-green leaves and tolerance to hot, dry conditions. Studies in Qatar have shown that Olea europaea can thrive in the country's arid climate when properly irrigated, with some trees found to be relatively drought-tolerant. It is often planted in landscapes, parks, and gardens, where it serves as a decorative element and provides shade. However, its fruit production is limited in Qatar due to the lack of suitable pollinators and cooler winters required for optimal olive production.

AI-generated summary of observations

The Olea europaea plants observed in Aspire Park, Doha, Qatar, displayed varying characteristics over time. On November 23, 2014, the olive tree was present, and subsequent observations on April 9, 21, and 29, 2015, showed its persistence in the park. By October 22, 2015, the tree was still thriving, and by April 21, 2016, new plants had been added to the park. The trees were observed at different times of day, including morning, with no notable changes in their appearance. The observations suggest that Olea europaea can survive and thrive in Qatar's climate, with the trees in Aspire Park remaining healthy over a period of nearly two years. The plant's ability to adapt to the local environment is evident from its continued presence and growth in the park. Regular observations showed consistent results.

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Acknowledgements

QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.

Olea europaea L.

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Extract from Wikipedia article