330 129- CELASTRACEAE 



Stamens as many as and alternating with the petals. Filaments free. Anthers 

 opening by two longitudinal slits sometimes confluent at the top. Ovary 

 superior, but sometimes sunk in the disc and adnate to it, 2 — 5-celled, rarely 

 {Pleurostylia) i-celled. Ovules i — 8 in each cell, inverted. Style i or o. 

 Seeds usually albuminous. P3mbryo axile, with leaf-like cotyledons. — Genera 

 15, species 160. (Plate 82.) 



1. Fruit a loculicidal capsule. Seeds with an aril. [Subfamily CELAS- 



TROIDEAE. J . 2 



Fruit a drupe or a nut. Seeds without an aril 7 



2. Leaves opposite, at least those of the flowering and fruiting branches. Un- 



armed shrubs. Ovules 2 in each ovary-cell 3 



Leaves alternate 4 



3. Petals spreading. Disc thick. Anthers opening by i slit. Ovary-cells 



and stigmas 4 — 5. Seeds envepped by a red aril. Leaves elliptical. — 

 Species i. North-west Africa (Algeria). Yields timber and medicaments 

 and serves as an ornamental plant ; the fruits are poisonous. " Spindle- 

 tree." Evonymus L. 



Petals erect. Disc thin. Anthers opening by 2 slits. Ovary-cells and 

 stigmas 3. Seeds with a white, wing-like aril. Leaves lanceolate. — 

 Species i (C. edulis Forsk.). Central and South Africa. The wood 

 and the leaves are used, the latter for chewing and for preparing a tea 

 and medicaments. (Methyscophylhmi Eckl. & Zeyh.) . Catha Forsk. 



4. Flowers in axillary racemes or umbels, or more frequently solitary or in 



clusters and inserted upon the leaves, 5-merous. Ovary-cells and 

 stigmas 5, very rarely 3 — 4. Seeds with a laciniate aril. Unarmed 

 shrubs or trees. — Species 7. Madagascar. (Under Celastfus L.). 



Polycardia Juss. 



Flowers in axillary fascicles or cymes. Ovary 2 — 3-celled, very rarely 



4— 5-celled 5 



5. Ovules 3 — 6 in each cell of the ovary. Disc thick, almost hemispherical, 



ribbed, red. Seeds enveloped by the aril. Spiny shrubs. — Species 2. 

 South Africa. (Under Celastrus L.) . , . . Putterlickia Endl. 

 Ovules 2 in each cell of the ovary. Ovary 2 — 3-celled. Disc not hemis- 

 pherical 6 



6. Fruit with usually wing-like appendages. Seeds with a gaping aril. Ovary 



usually ribbed. Stigmas 2 — 3. Disc 5-lobed or 5-parted. Flowers 

 5-merous. L'uarmed shrubs or trees. Leaves entire. — Species 9. 



South Africa Pterocelastrus Meissn. 



Fruit without appendages. Ovary not ribbed. Disc faintly lobed, not 

 ribbed. — Species 80. Some of them yield timber, rubber, or medica- 

 ments. (Including ScylopliyUiim Eckl. & Zeyh., under Celasirus L.) 



Gymnosporia Wight & Am. 



7. (i.) Fruit broadly winged, with a leathery rind. Flowers 4-merous. 



Stamens inserted within the disc. Anthers opening outwards. Ovary 



