3-21 Celastraceae, staff-tree family

Marian C. Munro; Ruth E. Newell; Nicholas M. Hill

Authors

Marian C. Munro Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS
Ruth E. Newell E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Nicholas M. Hill Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Keywords:

Magnoliophyte, dicots, bittersweet, spindle-tree, invasive, Celastrus, Euonymus

Abstract

. Nova Scotia has 2 species of the approximately 800 occurring worldwide in 50 genera. Woody plants with simple leaves; flowers perfect although occasionally unisexual, small with alternating petals and stamens, 4-5-merous. Ovary hypogynous. Fruit is a capsule. Euonymus or European spindle-tree is a shrub that may become an invasive species here, as it has in other jurisdictions. Its white starlike flowers produce fruit with an orange aril. Oriental bittersweet or Celastrus is an Asian ornamental that has established at two stations in Nova Sscotia. Photographs are provided by Sean Blaney.

Author Biographies

Marian C. Munro, Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS

Curator of Botany (NSPM)

Ruth E. Newell, E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Curator of the E. C. Smith Herbarium (ACAD)

Nicholas M. Hill, Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Director; Adjunct Professor