Olea is a genus of trees and shrubs commonly known as olives. The most well-known species is Olea europaea, which produces the edible olives used in cooking and for making olive oil. These trees thrive in Mediterranean climates, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Olive trees are known for their gnarled trunks and silver-green leaves. They can live for hundreds of years and are often cultivated in orchards. The fruit can be harvested when ripe, and it is typically cured or pressed to extract oil, which is a staple in many cuisines around the world.