Oleaceae

Oleaceae

The Oleaceae are a family of flowering plants in the order Lamiales. It is also known as the olive family. The family encompasses about 700 species in 24 genera. The family is widespread in temperate to tropical regions of the world, but is concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere.

Description

Members of the Oleaceae are trees, shrubs, or rarely lianas, and typically possess opposite leaves. The leaves can be simple or pinnately compound, and are often associated with extraordinary diversity in leaf form.

Taxonomy

The family Oleaceae was first described by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in 1789. The type genus for the family is Olea, the olives.

Distribution and habitat

Oleaceae species are found in a wide variety of habitats, from coastal to mountainous regions. They are particularly prevalent in the Northern Hemisphere, but are also found in the tropics and Southern Hemisphere.

Uses

Many species in the Oleaceae family have economic importance. The olive tree (Olea europaea) is notable for its fruit and oil. Other genera with products of economic value include Fraxinus (ash trees), Syringa (lilacs), and Jasminum (jasmines).

See also

• List of Lepidoptera that feed on Oleaceae
• Oleaceae in Lepidoptera

External links

• Oleaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, information retrieval.

Oleaceae Resources
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