Plantcompass

General Information

Family: Olive family (Oleaceae)
Flowering period in Central Europe: Early spring to midsummer
Months: 4–6

Allergy potential
CARE-S* Level 2. Main allergen Ole e1.

Cross-reactions
Olive pollen can cause cross-reactions with other plants in the olive family (e.g., ash, privet, lilac, forsythia, winter jasmine). Due to the structural similarity of these proteins, cross-reactions can occur within the family.

Botanical Information

Distribution
Olive trees are native to the Mediterranean region, stretching from North Africa to South Africa, and in the Middle East from the Arabian Peninsula to Pakistan. Since olives are cultivated for their oil-rich fruit, they are also found in China, Argentina, and Mexico.

Morphology
Allergy potential — CARE-S* Level 2. Habit — Tree. Foliage — Evergreen, entire-margined, lanceolate to elliptical, leathery leaves; undersides gray to silvery-shiny (hairs act as protection against desiccation). Reproduction — Terminal or lateral, panicle-like inflorescences with white flowers; wind-pollinated; oily drupes (olives).

* CARE-S is an evidence-based system for categorising the allergenic potential of plants. Additional information about CARE-S is available here.