Olacaceae - Sour plum family

Trees or shrubs, sometimes armed. Stipules 0. Leaves alternate, simple, entire; midrib impressed above, prominent below (in ours). Flowers actinomorphic, unisexual or bisexual. Calyx cup-shaped, margin entire or lobed. Petals 3-5(-6), free or united, valvate. Stamens as many as or more numerous than the petals; all fertile or some sterile (i.e. staminodes may be present). Ovary superior or semi-inferior, usually 3-5-locular at base. Stigma lobed or capitate. Fruit a 1-seeded drupe (in ours).

Worldwide: 27 genera and 180 species, tropical and South Africa.

Zambia: 2 genera and 6 taxa.