bittersweet family

The bittersweet (staff vine) or Celastraceae family contains 96 genera and over 1,300 species of herbs, vines, shrubs and small trees.

A great majority of the genera are tropical, with only the staff vines (Celastrus), the spindles (Euonymus) and mayten (Maytenus), being widespread in temperate climates.

Photos from species in Celastraceae.