False olive (Phillyrea angustifolia, Sp. pl. 1:7. 1753)

Family: Oleaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:7. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Phillyrea

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. & C. Medit.

Description

The False Olive, scientifically known as Phillyrea angustifolia, is a noteworthy plant belonging to the Oleaceae family. Documented in the authoritative text “Species Plantarum” (sp. pl. 1:7) in the year 1753 by the illustrious botanist Linnaeus, this plant holds a longstanding place in botanical history.

Endemic to the Western and Central Mediterranean regions, this resilient shrub thrives in typified Mediterranean climates known for their hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The False Olive distinguishes itself with its narrow, lanceolate leaves that bear a striking resemblance to those of the true olive, though it belongs to a different genus.

This evergreen plant is often utilized in both natural and cultivated landscapes, appreciated for its robust nature and its ability to endure challenging environmental conditions. The False Olive is admired not only for its hardiness but also for its aesthetic appeal, offering a dense, shrub-like appearance that can provide both privacy and a touch of Mediterranean elegance to gardens and parks.

Phillyrea angustifolia contributes to the ecological diversity of its native regions, supporting various forms of wildlife and integrating seamlessly into the Mediterranean biomes it inhabits. Its adaptability has also made it a favorite for horticulturists and landscape designers looking for sustainable, low-maintenance plant options.

In summary, the False Olive is a significant member of the Oleaceae family, celebrated for its resilience, historical botanical documentation, and its functional and ornamental uses in various landscapes.

Common Names

Swe: smalbladig stenlind
En: False olive
Ar: زرود ضيق الأوراق
Eu: Gartxu hostoestu
Ca: Aladern de fulla estreta, Olivastre
Da: Smalbladet Stenved
Fi: Kaitapiipensas
Fr: Alavert, Filaire à feuilles étroites, Alavert à feuilles étroites, Filaria à feuilles étroites, Philaria
De: Schmalblättrige Steinlinde
It: Ilatro sottile
Oc: Aladèrn de fuèlha estrecha
Pt: Aderno-de-folhas-estreitas, Lentisco-bastardo
Es: Labiérnago, Labiernago blanco, Olivillo, Picadera
Sv: Smalbladig stenlind

Synonyms

• Phillyrea angustifolia subsp. marotii (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia f. rosmarinifolia ((Mill.) Schelle)
• Phillyrea conferta (Stokes)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. brevifoliamacrocarpa (Sennen & Elías)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. theodori (Sennen)
• Phillyrea rosmarinifolia (Mill.)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. acuminata (Sennen)
• Phillyrea brachiata ((Aiton) Stokes)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. brevifolia (Sennen & Elías)
• Phillyrea minor (Zumagl.)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subsp. albertii (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. affinis (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subsp. myrtifolia (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. bernardii (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. eliasii (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. curtifolia (Sennen)
• Phillyrea mandonis (Sennen)
• Phillyrea rosmarinifolia var. minorifolia (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subvar. parvifolia (Sennen)
• Phillyrea media var. angustifolia ((L.) Rchb.f.)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subsp. baui (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subsp. lempergii (Sennen)
• Phillyrea benitoi (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. rosmarinifolia ((Mill.) Aiton)
• Phillyrea rosmarinifolia var. brachiata (Aiton)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subsp. dodei (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. ferreri (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. apiculata (Sennen)
• Phillyrea lowei (DC.)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. spinescens (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subsp. crassipetiolata (Sennen)
• Phillyrea vulgaris var. angustifolia ((L.) Caruel)
• Phillyrea mixta (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subsp. gabrielis (Sennen)
• Phillyrea variabilis var. angustifolia ((L.) Parl.)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subvar. brevifolia (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subsp. longicuneata (Sennen)
• Phillyrea lanceolata ((Aiton) Steud.)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subsp. battandieri (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. lancifolia (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. bianoris (Sennen)
• Phillyrea rosmarinifolia var. viridifolia (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. batlloana (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subsp. aloysii (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subsp. duatorum (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. santamariae (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subvar. strictissima (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subvar. minorifolia (Sennen)
• Phillyrea mucronata var. linearis (Tausch)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. dentifolia (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. rubricarinata (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia subvar. macrocarpa (Sennen & Elías)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. brachiata (Aiton)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. densifolia (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. lanceolata (Aiton)
• Phillyrea angustifolia f. brevifolia (Pau)
• Phillyrea mirtifolia (Sennen)
• Phillyrea emporitana (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. strictissima (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. stenophylla (Sennen)
• Phillyrea angustifolia var. rierae (Sennen)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Corse (native)
• France (native)
• Italy (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Nov 6, 2021 by Frederic G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2021 by Pascal DUPUIS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2021 by Pascal DUPUIS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2017 by Michel Nialon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2018 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 19, 2021 by Antoine 🌱 AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2021 by Antoine 🌱 AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2021 by Pascal Boez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2019 by jeannot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2017 by francis serre (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 16, 2020 by kit23 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2020 by Marco Strebel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2021 by Xavier Pierret (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2021 by Antoine 🌱 AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 22, 2022 by Guaita Raquel (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 7, 2020 by Julian Diaz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2020 by christophe.saillard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2019 by yoyoy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Pascal MILCENT (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 10, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 22, 2022 by Sastre Oriol (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2022 by Eric Rebsamen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2019 by jeannot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 20, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7325947)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:610935-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Phillyrea angustifolia L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Shrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘mar’, ‘apr’, ‘may’]

Soil nutriments: 5