The olive is a long-lived evergreen tree, capable of regenerating itself from any part of the plant (pollard tree). This characteristic has allowed the olive trees to survive across the centuries until they become real natural monuments. The aim of this work has been to study the monumental “Olivo della Strega” (“Witch’s Olive tree”) olive tree, located in the olive orchard of Santissima Annunziata church, in Magliano (Grosseto, Italy), a tree with a special place in local history and folklore and with estimated age over 700 years. The morphometric data of leaf, fruit, stone and pollen were used to characterize the phenotype, while genetic diversity was assessed on the basis of microsatellite markers. The morphological and genetic analysis pointed to two clearly distinguishable parts in the “Olivo della Strega” tree, called sample left (SL) and sample right (SR). This ancient plant consists of two different genotypes: one part (SL) was identified as cv Frantoio and the other (SR) as an unknown genotype. Moreover, traditional (in vivo conservation) and advanced techniques (cryopreservation) have made conservation achievable to preserve its genetic heritage. In particular “Olivo della Strega” pollen was stored for 1 year in liquid nitrogen. The morphology of pollen grains, viability and germinability of fresh and long term cryopreserved pollen were observed at different times during preservation, without revealing significant differences.

橄榄是一棵长寿的常绿乔木，能够从植物的任何部分（白花树）再生。这一特征使橄榄树可以生存数个世纪，直到它们成为真正的自然古迹。这项工作的目的是研究纪念性的“ Olivo della Strega”（“女巫的橄榄树”）橄榄树，它位于马格利亚诺（意大利格罗塞托）的桑蒂西玛·安农齐亚塔教堂的橄榄园中，这棵树上有一个特殊的地方有当地历史和民间传说，估计年龄超过700岁。用叶，果实，石头和花粉的形态学数据表征表型，同时根据微卫星标记评估遗传多样性。形态和遗传分析指出了“ Olivo della Strega”树中两个明显可区分的部分，称为样本左（SL）和样本右（SR）。这种古老的植物由两种不同的基因型组成：一部分（SL）被鉴定为cv Frantoio，另一部分（SR）被鉴定为未知基因型。此外，传统的（体内保护）和先进的技术（低温保存）使保存其遗传遗产成为可能。特别是“ Olivo della Strega”花粉在液氮中保存1年。在保存过程中的不同时间观察到花粉粒的形态，新鲜和长期低温保存的花粉的活力和发芽能力，但没有发现显着差异。传统的（体内保存）和先进的技术（低温保存）使得保存其遗传遗产成为可能。特别是“ Olivo della Strega”花粉在液氮中保存1年。在保存过程中的不同时间观察到花粉粒的形态，新鲜和长期低温保存的花粉的活力和发芽能力，但没有发现显着差异。传统的（体内保存）和先进的技术（低温保存）使得保存其遗传遗产成为可能。特别是“ Olivo della Strega”花粉在液氮中保存1年。在保存过程中的不同时间观察到花粉粒的形态，新鲜和长期低温保存的花粉的活力和发芽能力，但没有发现显着差异。