Contains 2 genera and 8 accepted taxa overall.
Characteristics
CELASTRACEAE
Dicot
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Classification
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CELASTRALES
CELASTRACEAE
Identification Key
1. Leaves alternate
2
1. Leaves opposite or whorled
4
2. Scandent shrub to vine; leaf blade margin crenate to dentate; flowers in racemose thyrses
2. Erect shrub or tree; leaf blade entire to obscurely crenate; flowers solitary or in fascicles
3
3. Leaf blade venation evident on the upper surface; flowers 4-merous; fruit a 2-stoned drupe
3. Leaf blade venation obscure on the upper surface; flowers 5-merous; fruit a 3-valvate leathery capsule
4. Vines; flowers in corymbiform-paniculiform cymes; seeds winged
4. Shrubs or small trees; flowers in simple or branches cymes; seeds not winged
5
5. Leaves deciduous, usually at least some >4.5 cm long, the blade acute to acuminate at the apex; seeds with a yellow to red aril
5. Leaves persistent, <4.5 cm long, the blade rounded, emarginate, or prickly at the apex; aril absent
6
6. Young stems terete; pedicel 1-3 mm long; flowers bisexual; ovaries 4-locular; stigmas 4; fruits red drupes
6. Young stems 4-angled; pedicel 0-1 mm long; flowers unisexual; ovaries 2-locular; stigmas 2; fruits bluish black drupes