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Oliva Racioppella
Widespread in the Benevento area and especially in the municipality of Guardia Sanframondi, where it is the most widely cultivated variety. It is a variety appreciated above all for its constant productivity, for the quality of the oil and not so much for the yield, which is around 10-12%. The plant has a medium development, with narrow lanceolate dark green leaves. The fruits are small and oval, of various sizes and different degrees of ripeness, gathered in clusters, with various colors ranging from light green to purple, with white flesh. It is called with different names, including "Ansertarella", for the clusters of drupes distributed on the branches in series, "Rappocella", because the olives are always grouped in clusters, "Spruarella", because during the collection of the olives the movement of the hands reminds one of what is done during milking. It is believed to be self-incompatible, but its constant and abundant production leads to its being considered self-compatible. In years when, due to unfavourable environmental conditions, the plants bear less fruit, it ripens early and falls off. This phenomenon is referred to locally as 'fava cotta'. It is resistant to the fly, the mange, the peacock's eye, the low temperatures and the drought.
