Celastraceae (bittersweet family)

Question 1

Celastraceae is which family?

Answer 1

Bittersweet family

Question 2

Celastraceae Key features:

Answer 2

• seeds often covered by fleshy, brightly colored aril (partial pulpy covering of seed) that in turn is covered by a papery capsule
• fugacious (short-lived) stipules
• small green flowers w 5 stamens alternating 5 petals
• Herbaceous
• vines, shrubs, small trees

Question 3

What is the Celastraceae species native to MN? What kind of plant is it?

Answer 3

Celastrus scandens, a twining vine

Question 4

Is Euonymus alatus a dangerous plant? How?

Answer 4

Yes, poisonous to humans (birds love em tho)

Question 5

Why do garden centers, landscapers, and homeowners like winged eunoymus?

Answer 5

Red fall foilage, grows in shade (but leads to less fall color), adapts to almost any soil condition

Question 6

Any problems w native Celastrus scandens in the landscape?

Answer 6

The vines grow in diameter as it wraps up around a tree as a vine and girdles it, killing the tree above the girdling

Question 7

Difference between Celastrus scandens (native) and C. orbiculatus (invasive)?

Answer 7

• scandens produces fruit w orange capsules and produces flowers at terminal ends of branches
• orbiculatus has tan capsules and produces fruits and flowers at branch axis

Question 8

Winged euonymus is tough in the landscape. Any concern for it’s well-being?

Answer 8

3 year production phase out period, to find alternatives, it is now a restricted noxious weed

Question 9

Uses:

Answer 9

• landscape (cover ANYTHING: fences, dead tree trunk),

Question 10

Limitations:

Answer 10

• chokes shit out