Commemorating William Forsyth (1737–1804), superintendent of the royal gardens in Kensington, London.

Deciduous shrubs to 3-4 m tall. Branches hollow or with chambered pith and numerous lenticels. Leaves opposite, usually simple, rarely divided into 3, sometimes toothed. Flowers yellow, appearing before the leaves, 1-6 per cluster, appearing at the junction with the previous year's growth. Sepals and petals 4, the petals united shortly at the base. Stamens 2. Stigma divided. Fruit a woody capsule containing numerous winged seeds.

Grown for the profuse yellow flowers appearing before the leaves. Cultivar Registration Authority based at the Arnold Arboretum, Massachusetts.

Hardwood or semi-hardwood cuttings; species occasionally by seed.

Winged seeds.

7 species from SE Europe and E Asia.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Oleaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.