Oleaceae Oleaceae

Oleaceae - Definition and Overview

Oleaceae

Olea europaea (Olive)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Division:Magnoliophyta
Class:Magnoliopsida
Order:Lamiales
Family:Oleaceae
Genera

Abeliophyllum -
Chionanthus - fringetree
Fontanesia -
Forestieria - swamp-privet
Forsythia - forsythia
Fraxinus - ash
Jasminum - jasmine
Ligustrum - privet
Notelaea -
Olea - olive
Osmanthus - devilwood
Phillyrea - mock-privet
Picconia -
Schrebera -
Syringa - lilac


Oleaceae, the olive family, is a plant family containing 24 genera of woody plants, including shrubs, trees and vines. It is characterised by opposite leaves that may be simple or pinnately-compound. The calyx and corolla are four-lobed.

Many members of the family are economically important. The olive, Olea europaea, is extremely important for its fruit and the oil extracted from it. The ashes, genus Fraxinus, are valued for their tough wood, and forsythia, lilacs, jasmines, privets, and fringetrees are all valued as landscaping plants.

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