Black Olive Tree (Terminalia buceras): The Coastal 'Shady Lady' of the Tropics

Black Olive Tree (Terminalia buceras), also called Oxhorn Bucida or 'Shady Lady,' is a staple of tropical coastal landscapes. Despite the name, it's not a true olive—nor are its small fruits edible. But its dense, wind-resistant canopy and salt tolerance make it invaluable for seaside streets and parks.

Form & Foliage

A medium to large evergreen tree (40–60 feet) with a broad, rounded crown of horizontal branches. Leaves are small, leathery, and clustered at branch tips, creating a layered, textural effect. Inconspicuous greenish flowers give way to small, hard, blackish fruits. Bark is smooth gray, becoming fissured with age.

Classification & Synonyms

• Family: Combretaceae
• Genus: Terminalia
• Species: buceras
• Synonyms: Buceras angustifolia, Buceras buceras, Buceras bucida, Bucida angustifolia, Bucida buceras

Coastal Champion

Highly salt- and wind-tolerant, 'Shady Lady' thrives in sandy, alkaline soils and withstands hurricane-force winds better than most broadleaf trees. Deep roots make it drought-resistant. Used extensively in Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America as a street tree, windbreak, and shade tree. Wood is dense and durable.