The star of the Oleaceae family is of course the olive -- Olea europaea -- one of the oldest crops of Mediterranean civilization. They were brought to California in the 18th century by the Spanish padres, as this sign at Mission San Antonio explains. This beautiful specimen is thought to have been planted "about 1836". There are many, many varieties of olives and this one, curiously, cannot not be matched with any present day European variety.
An interesting member of this family that I encountered in California is Ligustrum lucidum -- also known as tree privet or glossy privet. My first impression was that it was some sort of Ficus, with glossy leaves and bony, reptilian bark. It also has white flowers in dense clusters that become dark blue, bird-friendly berries. When I think of privet, I think of the hedges I grew up around back east -- Ligustrum vulgare, which comes from Europe. Ligustrum lucidum on the other hand comes from Asia, and has spread itself fast enough to be considered invasive. And while the two plants seem very different, they are in fact both privet.
Also in the olive family is the familiar lilac -- Syringa vulgaris -- seen below. These famous ornamental plants have stalked me on both coasts.
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