Very old Olive Orchard in Serra de Tramuntana nearby Sa Foradada and Son Marroig of Balearic Islands Majorca / Spain - stock photo

The olive, known by the botanical name Olea europaea, meaning "European olive", is a species of small tree in the family Oleaceae, found traditionally in the Mediterranean Basin. The species is cultivated in all the countries of the Mediterranean, as well as South America, South Africa, China, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and the United States. Olea europaea is the type species for the genus Olea.