Family Celastraceae – Bittersweets, Spindle Trees


Family Celastraceae – Bittersweets, Spindle Trees

These Himalayan spindle trees, grown from seed, are 75 years old

Celastraceae is a botanical family of 1,300 species of vines, shrubs, and small trees, in about 100 genera.  Celastrus , Euonymus and Maytenus are widespread in temperate climates.

Celastraceae leaves are simple and alternate or opposite; stipules are small and caducous or absent. The flowers are bisexual or sometimes functionally unisexual, actinomorphic, and are small and often greenish. The calyx comprises 4 or 5 usually basally connate sepals. The corolla is rarely absent or more commonly consists of 4 or 5 distinct petals. The androecium consists of 4 or 5 or rarely 10 distinct stamens that alternate with the petals. The gynoecium is a single compound pistil of 2-5 carpels, a single short style, and a superior or rarely half inferior ovary with 2-5 locules, each containing usually 2 axile ovules. An annular nectary disk surrounds and is usually adnate to the ovary. The fruit is a capsule, berry, samara, or drupe. [1]

Spindle Tree - Euonymus nikoensis
Spindle Tree
Euonymus nikoensis

Winterberry Euonymus
Euonymus bungeanus
Himalayan Spindle Tree
Himalayan Spindle Tree
Euonymus hamiltonianus

References
1. Dr. Gerald (Gerry) Carr, Emeritus Professor of Botany, University of Hawai`i at Manoa, “Celastraceae

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