Olea capensis L. [Syn.: O. Hochstetteri Bak., O. Schliebenii Knobl., O. Welwitschii (Knobl.) Gilg. & Schellenb.] OLEACEAE.

Names: East African Olive, Elgon Olive, Loliondo (Standard name), Mutharagi, Mutharage (Kikuyu).

Description: Tree, 3-24(40)m, evergreen, occasionally buttressed; bark pale grey, rough. Leaves shiny above, base cuneate, apex acute, acuminate or rarely rounded, often apiculate, 5-14 (20) by 2-6cm, with a few scattered scales on both surfaces. Flowers many, in (sub) terminal paniculate cymes, as long as, or longer than subtending leaf; flowers white, cream or yellow, about 3mm long. Fruit purple, ellipsoid with pointed apex, 12-18mm long.

Occurence: Wet and dry upland evergreen forest.

Use: Wood tough, strong, shock-resistant, perishable in the ground, used for building and construction work. A first-class turning wood. Timber is pale golden-brown with darker streaks, much used for high-class furniture.