Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Celastrales Link
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Celastraceae
Synonymy:
  • = Brexiaceae
  • = Canotiaceae
  • = Stackhousiaceae
  • = Parnassiaceae
 Description

Shrubs, trees or woody climbers. Lvs alternate or opposite, simple; stipules small or 0. Infl. usually cymose. Fls ☿ or unisexual, actinomorphic, 4–5-merous, with a well marked fleshy disc. Petals usually small and greenish, rarely 0. Calyx and petals usually imbricate, rarely valvate. Stamens usually 4–5, very rarely 10, opposite calyx lobes. Ovary superior, 1–5-locular; ovules 1–2-(many) in each loculus. Stigma capitate or 2–5-lobed. Fr. a loculicidal or indehiscent capsule, samara, drupe or berry. Seeds often surrounded by an aril; embryo straight, surrounded by endosperm.

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

 Biostatus
Number of species in New Zealand within Celastraceae
CategoryNumber
Indigenous (Endemic)1
Exotic: Fully Naturalised4
Exotic: Casual3
Total8
 Bibliography
Connor, H.E. 1977: The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.
Connor, H.E.; Fountain, J. 2009: Plants that Poison: A New Zealand Guide. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
Cronquist, A. 1988: The evolution and classification of flowering plants. The New York Botanic Gardens, New York.
Kubitzki, K. 2004: VI Flowering Plants. Dicotyledons: Celestrales, Oxalidales, Rosales, Cornales, Ericales. Kubitzki, K. (ed.) The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants. Spinger-Verlag, Berlin. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
Mabberley, D.J. 2017: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 4. Cambridge University Press.