Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb.

Deciduous, ± glabrous climber up to 12 m high, usually dioecious or gynodioecious. Twigs green; the outermost scales of the winter buds often transformed into sharp spines 1–2 mm long. Branches terete, greyish brown. Lvs suborbicular, obovate or elliptic, obtuse to acuminate at apex, crenate, (3)–5–10 cm long. Petiole (0.5)–1–2 cm long. Cymes 1-many-flowered, shortly pedunculate, axillary. Fls c. 4–10 mm diam. Petals pale green, narrowly oblong, separated, often reduced in ♀. Capsule globose, yellow to yellow-orange, 6–8 mm diam., exposing the scarlet aril after opening.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]