Celastraceae

(includes Stackhousiaceae)

Trees, shrubs, climbers or herbs. Leaves simple, entire, toothed or crenate, opposite or alternate; stipules small or absent, rarely prominent. Flowers, regular, bisexual or unisexual; in axillary or terminal spikes, racemes, panicles or cymes. Sepals 2–5, basally connate. Petals 4–5; free or fused at midpoint. Stamens usually as many as the petals and alternating with them. Ovary superior, occasionally appearing half-inferior when immersed in disc; 2–5-locular or; carpels 3–5 and connate along central axis. Style simple or branched. Fruit a capsule, shizocarp or drupaceous. 58 gen., widely distributed.