Bucida buceras

Plants-in-buildings.com

Size

Tiny <20 cm< 8”

Small 20 cm - 1.2 m8” - 4 ft ü

Medium 1.2 m - 2.5 m4 ft - 8 ft ü

Large 2.5 m - 5.0 m8 ft - 16 ft ü

Huge > 5.0 m>16 ft

Temperature

Unheated 1 °C - 8 °C34 °F - 45 °F

Cool 8 °C - 16 °C45 °F - 60 °F

Warm 16 °C - 22 °C60 °F - 72 °F ü

Hot > 22 °C> 72 °F ü

Light

Low <250 lux

Medium-low 250 - 750 lux

Medium 750 - 1500 lux ü

Medium-high

1500 - 2500 lux ü

High > 2500 lux ü

Shape / style / colour

Bushy Ground cover Jungly

Bushy palm Climbing / trailing Spiky

Tree shaped ü Unusual Upright

Palm shaped

Coloured/ variegated

Scientifi c name: Bucida bucerasSynonym: Terminalia bucerasCommon names: Black olive, Myrobalan tree, Whitewood

Uses

The Black Olive is often used as a stately specimen tree in formal interior landscapes and atriums.

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History and origins

Though commonly called the “black olive tree”, this native of the Caribbean, Florida and Panama is not the edible olive we know and love, though it does produce an inedible black seed capsule. It is the national tree of Antigua, where it is commonly known as the Whitewood, and was introduced to Europe in 1793. The bark was once a source of tannin for the leather industry and the heavy, hard wood – usually called bullet wood – was used for making gun carriages.

The Black Olive is probably more correctly placed in the genus Terminalia along with the Tropical or Sea Almond. Terminalia derives from the Latin ‘terminus’ meaning “end”, and refers to the way that the leaves and flowers are clustered at the tips of the twigs.

Maintenance

Temperature: Requires a minimum of 15 °C (60 °F) and conditions that do not fluctuate too much.

Light: Bright, but diffused light is required, such as may be found in glass-roofed atriums.

Water: Must be kept moist, but not wet. The soil can be allowed to dry out a little between waterings during resting periods. Newly-installed trees often shed their entire foliage for no apparent reason, although they will refoliate quickly if the root ball is kept moist (but not waterlogged) for the first month after installation.

Humidity: This species thrives in conditions of high humidity and good air movement. Regular misting is recommended to keep the foliage fresh and to deter two-spotted (red) spider mite.

Pests: Black olives are attacked by soft scale insects, mealybugs and occasionally aphids. Two-spotted (red) spider mite is less of a problem in ideal conditions, as the high humidity recommended for Bucida buceras will deter mites.

Availability

Readily available in a wide range of size, style and quality.Availability in some countries may be restricted due to phytosanitary or import restrictions.

Description

Bucida buceras is a handsome, symmetrical tree that can grow up to 18m tall in the wild, where it produces large buttresses at the base of its trunk. The leaves are glossy and leathery and bear a passing resemblance to those of the European olive, although they are not related. Small but inedible black berries are produced at the end of the twigs.