STAFF-TREE FAMILY. 



CELASTRACE^. 



Climbing Bitter-Sweet. Celast/rus scandens. 



Staff-tree. 



Roxbury Waxwork. 



Found beside walls and in open woods, in June; growing often in 

 damp soil. 



This clambering and twisting vine grows to considerable propor- 

 tions ; its stems are very tough, and the bark is firm and close, some- 

 \vhat shining, and dark gray with occasional bronzy flecks. 



The oval leaf, with its many noticeable ribs, finely toothed margin, 

 and fine texture, is short-stemmed ; its color is a cool green, lighter and 

 shining underneath. The arrangement is alternate. 



The greenish-white flowers are small and inconspicuous, their parts 

 all in fives ; they are gathered in loose terminal clusters, which give no 

 promise of their brilliant fruiting. 



With the autumn ripening of the seed, the dry round case becomes 

 red-orange in coloi-, and bursts into 3 divisions, which curl backward, 

 with many twisting curves, to display the glistening coral-red fruit. 

 The drooping clusters of gorgeous orange and scarlet berries keep their 

 color long, and if gathered just before the seed-cases open, will last all 

 winter for house decoration. 



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