Rhamnaceae

The members of the Rhamnaceaefamily are shrubs or short and rarely higher trees and climbing plants. It is represented by approximately 50 – 60 genera and approximately 890 – 900 species. Rhamnaceae are spreadwidely throughout the world, but are most characteristic of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
The leaves are deciduous or permanent, simple, alternate, more rarely opposing. Inflorescencesare usually arranged in the bosom of the leaves. The flowersare usually small and regular. The petals and sepalsare4-5 in number each.
The oldest archeological data for the existence of the Rhamnaceaeplants date back in the Palaeozoic era.