Celastraceae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Celastraceae |
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| Oriental Staff Vine (Celastrus orbiculatus) | |
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Celastraceae
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Celastroideae |
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The Celastraceae family is also known as the staff-tree family. It belongs to the plant order called Celastrales. This family includes about 55 different groups of plants, known as genera.
These plants can be woody vines, shrubs, or trees. They grow in many parts of the world, especially in tropical and temperate areas. Some of the most well-known plants from this family are Euonymus and Celastrus, which is also called bittersweet. People often grow these plants because they are very pretty.
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What Makes Celastraceae Special?
The plants in the Celastraceae family have some cool features. Their fruits are often very colorful, which makes them stand out. The leaves of these plants are usually tough and feel a bit like leather.
Flowers of the Staff-Tree Family
The flowers of Celastraceae plants are quite small. They typically have four or five sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the bud. They also have four or five petals, which are the colorful parts of the flower.
Inside the flower, you'll find stamens. These are the parts that produce pollen. The stamens are usually arranged around a clear, noticeable disk that produces nectar. This nectar attracts insects, which helps the plant to spread its pollen.
Common Examples
Two popular types of plants from this family are Euonymus and Celastrus.
Euonymus Plants
Euonymus plants are often grown in gardens. They can be shrubs or small trees. Many types of Euonymus have bright green leaves that turn beautiful colors in the fall. Some even have interesting, winged stems.
Celastrus (Bittersweet)
Celastrus is also known as bittersweet. These plants are often climbing vines. They are famous for their bright orange and red berries that appear in the fall and winter. These berries are very decorative.
Where They Grow
Celastraceae plants are found all over the world. They prefer places that are either tropical, meaning warm all year, or temperate, meaning they have distinct seasons. This wide range shows how adaptable these plants are to different climates.
Images for kids
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Oriental Staff Vine (Celastrus orbiculatus)
