Celastrus
Sp. Pl. 1: 196. 1753.
| Taxon | Illustrator ⠉ | |
|---|---|---|
 | Crossopetalum ilicifolium Euonymus alatus Celastrus scandens |
Vines, twining, polygamodioecious. Branchlets terete. Leaves deciduous [persistent], alternate; stipules present; petiole present; blade margins denticulate; venation pinnate. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, panicles or cymes [racemes]. Flowers bisexual and unisexual, radially symmetric; perianth and androecium hypogynous; hypanthium absent; sepals 5, distinct; petals 5, white or greenish white; nectary intrastaminal, fleshy. Bisexual flowers: stamens 5, free from and inserted under nectary; staminodes 0; pistil 3-carpellate; ovary superior, 3-locular; placentation axile; style 1; stigmas 3; ovules 2 per locule. Staminate flowers: stamens 5; free from and inserted under nectary; staminodes 0; pistillode present. Pistillate flowers: staminodes 5, alternate with petals, undivided, not gland-tipped, minute; pistil 3-carpellate; ovary superior, 3-locular, placentation axile; style 1; stigmas 3; ovules 2 per locule. Fruits capsules, 3-locular, globose or subglobose, 3-lobed distally, apex not beaked. Seeds [1–] 2 per locule, ellipsoid, not winged; aril red, completely surrounding seed. x = 23.
Distribution
North America, e Asia, primarily tropics and subtropics, some temperate regions
Discussion
Species ca. 30 (2 in the flora).
Selected References
Lower Taxa
Key
| 1 | Inflorescences terminal, panicles; capsules orange; pollen yellow; leaf blades usually oblong, aestivation involute. | Celastrus scandens |
| 1 | Inflorescences axillary, cymes; capsules yellow; pollen white; leaf blades suborbiculate to broadly oblong-obovate or ovate-orbiculate, aestivation conduplicate. | Celastrus orbiculatus |