Oleaceae
(Olive Family)
30 Genera (5 on campus, 3 are trees)
600 species
I. Leaves
A. Opposite
B. Simple or pinnately compound
C. estipulate
II. Flowers
A. Regular
B. Perfect and/or imperfect (dioecious)
C. 2 stamens, some with 3 or 5
D. 2 celled ovary with 1 style and 2 lobed
stigma
III. Fruit
A. Samara, capsule, berry, drupe
IV. Economic Importance
A. Fraxinus americana is second only
to hickory
for wooden
handles,
bats because of its
flexible
strength
B. Fraxinus nigra wood used in weaving
because
it splits easily
C. Fraxinus wood used in furniture
& veneers
D. Ornamental trees and shrubs
1. Forsythia
(Goldenbell) (OT,)
2. Ligustrum
(Privet) (OT,)
3. Chionanthus
virginicus (Fringe Tree) (OT,)
[snow flower (grk)]
4. Syringa
vulgaris (Lilac) (OT,)
[pipe (grk)]
5. Fraxinus
(Ash)
E. Olea europaea produces edible drupe
and oil
V. Range
A. Temperate & tropical regions of N.
hemisphere