Hippocastanaceae (Buckeye Family) 
 
     2 Genera 
     15 species (4 on campus) 
 
I. Leaves 
 
     A. Opposite 
     B. Palmately compound 
     C. Estipulate 
 
II. Flowers 
 
     A. Perfect or imperfect (monoecious) 
     B. Zygomorphic 
      
 
III. Fruit 
 
     A. Leathery capsule with 1-6 large brown 
          seeds with light colored hilum 
 
IV. Economic Importance 
 
     A. Wood used a little in boxes, crates, shipping 
          containers, concealed parts of furniture 
     B. Oranamental 
 
V. Range 
 
     A. N., C., S. America, Mexico, SE Europe 
          E Asia, & India 


Species comparison within Aesculus 
     [Latin name for tree with edible acorns] 
 
Resinous Buds (Horsechestnuts) 
 
I. Aesculus hippocastanum (European horsechestnut) 
     A. Copious resin 
     B. 7 leaflets 
     C. White flowers 
 
II. A. carnea (Red horsechestnut) 
 
     A. Moderate resin 
     B. 5 leaflets 
     C. Red flowers 
 
Nonresinous Buds (Buckeyes) 
 
I. A. glabra (Ohio, Fetid Buckeye) 
 
     A. 5 leaflets that smell bad 
     B. Prickles on fruit 
     C. Light yellow flowers 
     D. Rough, corky bark 
 
II. A. flava (A. octandra) (Yellow, Sweet Buckeye) 
     [Yellowish] [eight stemmed] 
 
     A. 5 leaflets that don't smell or smell sweet 
     B. Smooth fruit 
     C. Yellow flowers 
     D. Smooth, firm bark 

Oleaceae (Olive Family)

     30 Genera (5 on campus, 3 are trees)
     600 species

I. Leaves
     A. Opposite
     B. Simple or pinnately compound
     C. estipulate

II. Flowers
     A. Regular
     B. Perfect and/or imperfect (dioecious)
     C. 2 stamens, some with 3 or 5
     D. 2 celled ovary with 1 style and 2 lobed stigma

III. Fruit
     A. Samara, capsule, berry, drupe

IV. Economic Importance
     A. Fraxinus americana is second only to hickory
          for wooden handles, bats because of its
          flexible strength
     B. Fraxinus nigra wood used in weaving because
          it splits easily
     C. Fraxinus wood used in furniture & veneers
     D. Ornamental trees and shrubs
          1. Forsythia (Goldenbell)
          2. Ligustrum (Privet)
          3. Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe Tree)
               [snow flower (grk)]
          4. Syringa vulgaris (Lilac)
               [pipe (grk)]
          5. Fraxinus (Ash)
     E. Olea europaea produces edible drupe and oil

V. Range
     A. Temperate & tropical regions of N. hemisphere

Species comparison within Fraxinus (Ash)
     [Latin name]

I. Common Features
     A. Odd pinnately compound leaves
     B. Buds with 1-3 pairs of scales
     C. 1 seeded samara with elongated terminal wing

II. Fraxinus quadrangulata (Blue Ash)
     A. Square stems

III. Round Stems

     A. Sessile leaflets
          1. F. nigra (Black Ash)
               a. Tawny pubescence
          2. F. excelsior (European Ash)
               a. Glabrous
               b. Many different varieties 
                    Simple leaf, varigated leaves
                    yellow or striped branches
                    dwarf or pedulous habit

     B. Leaflets with petioles
          1. F. americana (White Ash)
               a. Deeply concave leaf scar
               b. Diamond pattern bark
               b. var. americana - glabrous
               c. var. biltmoreana - white pubescence
          2. F. pennsylvanica
               a. Slightly concave to convex leaf scar
               b. var. subintegerrima - glabrous
               c. var. pennsylvanica - tawny pubescence