Oleaceae

Deciduous trees and shrubs with the following features in common: opposite leaves, no stipules; flowers in bundles, panicles or racemes; 2 stamens in flowers that produce pollen; 2 carpels fused to form 1 pistil; ovary located above the point of attachment of other flower parts (superior). In most other features, the shrubs in this family differ considerably from the trees, so each group is described separately.

Shrubs: Leaves simple, egg-shaped, stalked, with a pointed tip and no teeth along the edges. Flowers very fragrant, purple, pink or white, in dense panicles; each flower producing both pollen and seeds. Sepals 4, fused at base to form a bell-like structure, with or without 4 lobes or teeth at the top. Petals 4, fused at base to form a very narrow tube, with 4 lobes abruptly flaring outward at top. Fruit a two-chambered capsule with 2 seeds in each chamber (Lilac) or a fleshy black stone-fruit (drupe; Privet).

Trees: Leaves compound, with 5-11 leaflets, one leaflet at the tip of the leaf, and the others arranged in pairs along the leaf stalk. Flowers in dense bundles, short racemes or panicles from the axils of the previous season. Each tree producing both pollen and seeds, but usually in separate flowers. Sepals sometimes none, or tiny, with 4 lobes, these sometimes very ragged looking. Petals none. Fruit dry, nut-like, with a prominent wing located at the tip.