Botanical family · Lamiales

Oleaceae

Olive/Jasmine family

34 species in this family

The olive and ash family, renowned for the olive (Olea europaea) — a cornerstone of Mediterranean diet and culture — and for ornamental flowering shrubs like jasmine (Jasminum) and lilac (Syringa). Most members have opposite leaves and small 4-lobed flowers.

• Opposite leaves, often leathery
• 4-petalled small flowers, 2 stamens
• Drupe (olive) or samara (ash) fruit