black olive Combretaceae Bucida buceras L. symbol: BUBU Leaf: Alternate, simple, leathery, evergreen, obovate, entire, green above and below, to 4 inches long and 1 inch wide, tufted at the branch tips. Flower: Borne in the spring on slender 3-4 inch spikes, individual flowers creamy yellow-white, 1/4 inch, urn-shaped, fragrant and attractive to bees. Fruit: Urn-shaped, leathery, 1/4 to 1/2 inch, reddish-brown to dark brown, borne in drooping clusters, maturing mid to late summer. Twig: Slender, gray-brown, with consistent branch angles of 30 degrees, may have short spines. Bark: Initially smooth and gray-brown, becoming irregularly rough or scaly. Form: A medium size tree to 50 feet with an upright trunk and a broad, dense crown. Additional Range Information: Bucida buceras is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting black olive. More: Fall Color External Links: USDA Plants Database Horticulture © Copyright 2016, Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, all rights reserved. Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson