Shrubs, trees or lianas. Sclereids often present. Genera/species: 29/600.
Distribution
The Oleaceae grow in temperate to tropical climates and are distributed worldwide, especially Southwest Asia and Australasia show a high species diversity (Nordeste).
With about 160 species, the center of diversity is in China (Mei-chen, Lian-qing, Zhi, & Green, 1992).
Many genera and species of the Oleaceae have a large range, but some monotypic genera are endemics, such as Abeliophyllum in South Korea (Kang, Chang, & Kim, 2000).
Floral characters
Inflorescenses racemiform or paniculate. Flowers bisexuell or sometimes unisexuell Sepals 4, connate, valvate. Petals 4, nearly free. Stamens 2, opposite the petals, occasionally with prolonged connective. Ovary superior, 2-locular, style 1, stigma 1, 2-lobed; placentation axile, ovules usually 2 per locule.
Floral formula
K(4-15) C(4-15) A3 G(2) superior
Leaf characters
Leaves opposite, simple, pinnately compound or trifolio, entire to serrate, with pinnate venation; stipules lacking, often with lepidote hairs.
Stipules
absent
Fruit characters
Fruit a capsule, samara, or drupe. Jasminium has berries, Fraxinus has samaras, while Forsythia and Menodora have capsules.
Glands
Many species with osmophores (scent glands), especially the genera Jasminum, Osmanthus and Syringa.
Hairs
present; trichomes in many different forms, often especially shield-shaped and glandular
Latex
absent
Odor
Flowers often with an intense, appealing floral fragrance, especially in Jasminum due to essential oils consisting of acetic acid benzyl ester, linalool, eugenool and other fragrances
Uses
Olea europaea (olive): edible fruits and oil;
Ornamentals: Forsythia, Jasminum, Ligustrum, Chionanthus, Osmanthus, Syringa and Noronhia
Wood as a building material: Fraxinus
Chemical characters
Usually with phenolic glycosides. Iridoids presents.
Many species also possess essential oils that are fragrant to humans (Jirovetz, et al., 2007).
Substances in the bark of Nyctanthes arbortristis possess antimicrobial properties (Manisha, Neha, & Satish, 2009).
Some species such as Olea hochstetterii contain toxic substances (Mahre, Sandabe, & Abulrahman, 2009; Jantova, Nagy, Ruzĕková, & Grancă i, 2001).
Description
Deciduous or evergreen woody plants. The family Oleaceae consists of 29 genera and about 600 species, divided into 5 tribus and 4 subtribus. Oleeae represents the largest tribus with 18 genera, including Fraxinus, Olea and Syringia, the tribus Fontanesieae the smallest with only one genus and two species.
Olea europaea has a very high adaptation to dry, nutrient-poor soil and is very salt-resistant, making it a typical indicator plant for the Mediterranean region.
Some species, including Ligustrum lucidum, are considered invasive due to their high reproductive capacity.
Distribution maps
(online von http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/ . Dort zitiert wie unter jedem Diagramm vermerkt):
Oleaceae
Map: from Meusel et al. (1975) and Australia's Flora Online (consulted xii.2012)
