CELASTRACE^E 67 



Order XXV. CELASTRACE^E. 



Flowers small, in cymes ; calyx 4-5-lobed ; petals and 

 stamens 4-6; ovary 3-5-celled; seeds usually with an 

 aril. A small order of trees or shrubs of temperate and 

 tropical climates ; not alpine. 



i. EUONYMUS, L. 



Leaves opposite, simple, persistent, with fugacious 

 stipules ; seeds with a conspicuous red aril. 



E. europczus, L., Spindle-tree, with square branches 

 and usually 4 petals; woods and hedges, common. 

 E. latifolius, Scop., with cylindrical branches, usually 

 5 petals, and larger leaves; at a somewhat higher 

 elevation. 



Staphylea pinnata, L., Bladder-nut, is hardly wild in 

 Switzerland. 



Order XXVI. RHAMNACE^. 



Flowers small, green or yellow; calyx- teeth 4-5, valvate 

 in bud ; petals 4-5 or o ; stamens 4-5 ; leaves simple, 

 stipulate. A rather large order of trees and shrubs be- 

 longing to warm and temperate regions ; very few alpine 

 species. 



i. RHAMNUS, L. 



Flowers in small axillary cymes, often imperfect ; fruit 

 a drupe enclosed in the calyx-tube. 



A. Some or all of the leaves opposite ; branches ending 

 in a spine : R. catharticus, L., Buckthorn ; leaves ovate, 



