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OLEACEAE

OLIVE FAMILY

Dieter H. Wilken

Shrub, tree, or vine, some dioecious
Leaves alternate or opposite, deciduous or evergreen, simple to pinnately compound
Inflorescence various; flower sometimes solitary
Flower sometimes unisexual, generally radial; calyx generally minute, tube cup-shaped, lobes 4–15; petals (0)4–6, generally fused; stamens generally 2, epipetalous; pistil 1, ovary superior, chambers 2, placentas axile, ovules 2–4 per chamber, style 1, stigma generally 2-lobed
Fruit: drupe, capsule, or winged achene
Seed 1 per chamber
Genera in family: ± 25 genera, 900 species: ± worldwide; some cultivated for ornamental (Forsythia ; Jasminum , jasmine; Ligustrum , privet; Syringa , lilac) or food (Olea )
Reference: [Wilson & Wood 1959 J Arnold Arbor 40:369–384]
Retrieve key for OLEACEAE
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