Bittersweet (Family Celastraceae)

The Celastraceae (Staff Vine or Bittersweet Family), is a family of about
90-100 genera and 1,300 species of vines, shrubs and small trees, belong-
ing to the order Celastrales.

The great majority of the genera are tropical, with only Celastrus (the
staff vines), Euonymus (the spindles) and Maytenus widespread in tem-
perate climates.

Some species are used as ornamentals (Celastrus, Euonymus, and
Tripterygium) and/or medicines, including traditional Chinese medicines
(Celastrus, Euonymus, Maytenus, and Tripterygium).

Back to Inventory of Shrub Families and Species

Back to Inventory of Vine Families and Species