Olea capensis, the black ironwood,[4] is an African tree species in the olive family Oleaceae.

It is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa: from the east in Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan, south to the tip of South Africa, and west to Cameroon, Sierra Leone and the islands of the Gulf of Guinea, as well as Madagascar and the Comoros.

[5] The species has been divided into 3 subspecies:[5] Olea capensis has masses of sweetly scented bisexual flowers, that produce large edible fruits.

[6][7] The wood of the tree is very hard, fine grained, and heavy, and although difficult to work, it is widely used for art and artifacts.

[7] Olea capensis is cultivated as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens.