Olea europaea,is a species of a small tree in the family Oleaceae,native to the coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean Basin (the adjoining coastal areas of southeastern Europe,western Asia and northern Africa) as well as northern Iran at the south end of the Caspian Sea. Its fruit,also called the olive,is of major agricultural importance in the Mediterranean region as the source of olive oil. Fossil Olea pollen has been found in Macedonia,Greece,and other places around Mediterranean,indicating that this genus is an original element of the Mediterranean flora. Fossilized leaves of Olea were found in the palaeosols of the volcanic Greek island of Santorini (Thera) and were dated about 37.000 B.P. The leafy branches of the olive tree - the olive leaf as a symbol of abundance,glory and peace - were used to crown the victors of friendly games and bloody wars | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Parker, David |
Taille de l’image : | 8979 px × 3886 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |