Oleaceae
Scientific classification
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| Genera |
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Chionanthus fringe tree
Foresteria swamp-privet
Forsythia
Fraxinus ash tree
Jasminum jasmine
Ligustrum privet
Olea olive
Osmanthus devil-wood
Syringa lilac
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† Some botanists include
the Oleaceae
in the order Lamiales. |
Oleaceae is the olive plant family. It includes woody shrubs, trees and vines, and is characterized 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 europaeae, is extremely important for its fruit and the oil extracted from it. The ashes, genus Fraxinus, are valued as shade trees, and forsythia, lilacs, jasmines, privets, and fringe trees are all valued as landscaping plants.
