African Olive Tree Seedlings

The African wild olive tree, also known as olea africana, is called mutamaiyũ in Kikuyu. Here are some other olive trees found in Kenya

Common Names: Boran: Ejarse; English: African wild olive; Kamba: Muthata; Keiyo: Yemit; Kikuyu: Mutamaiyu; Kipsigis: Emitiot; Lubya (Bukusu): Kumunyubuti; Luo: Kang’o; Maasai: Oloirien, Olorien; Marakwet: Yemit; Meru: Muthata, Mutero; Nandi: Emidit; Ogiek: Yemdit; Sabaot: Yemit; Samburu: Tamiyai; Somali: Wera; Taita: …

Here are some characteristics of the African wild olive tree:

Appearance: An evergreen tree with a rounded crown, grey-green foliage, and a crooked trunk. The bark is rough and grey to dark brown, and the branchlets are white with breathing pores.

Leaves: Stiff, narrowly oval, and sharply pointed, with a glossy dark-green upper surface and a pale to white or golden underside.

Flowers: Small, white to cream, and in branched heads.

Fruit: Oval, with a pointed tip, fleshy, and purple and bitter-sweet when ripe.

Wood: Strong, durable, and extremely hard, with a reddish or golden brown color.

Uses: The wood is used for furniture, cabinet making, fence posts, and house construction. It’s also used as charcoal and firewood.

Other uses: The leaves were traditionally used for deworming, and the smoke and ashes were used to treat sour milk. A tea made from dried leaves is said to help improve kidney function and alleviate urinary tract problems.