The Herbarium Museum will be closed to the public from April 17 to 27, 2025.

The director, curator, consultants, staff and volunteers wish all botany enthusiasts a happy Easter holiday.

The photo shows a olive tree branch (Olea europaea L.) from the Bassani Herbarium (RO-HBas).

During Easter, the olive tree, or Olea europaea L., takes on a special meaning. Traditionally, it is a symbol of peace and reconciliation. In many cultures, it is usual to bless olive branches during Palm Sunday celebrations, which celebrate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Believers take these branches home as a sign of blessing and protection. The olive tree, with its capability to reborn and thrive even in adverse conditions, represent the Jesus' resurrection and spread the Easter message of hope and new life.

The olive tree, native to the Mediterranean region, is known for its extraordinary longevity; its cultivation dates back some 6,000 years and characterizes many hilly landscapes. 

It is a very hardy tree, able to adapt to difficult climatic and edaphic conditions. The leaves of the olive tree are shiny and deep green on the upper page, while they appear grayish-white on the lower page due to the presence of abundant star hairs. Its fruits, olives, are rich in nutrients and are used for the extraction of olive oil, a staple of the Mediterranean diet and a carrier of numerous health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.