Maytenus

Maytenus is a genus of erect or scrambling trees and shrubs without spines in the Celastraceae or spike thorn family.

The simple leaves are alternate or spiralling, usually nearly stalkless. Leaf margins are toothed or entire. Some species contain latex or are characterised by elastic threads. The small stipules are free, falling early or shrivel.

Inflorescences are sometimes stalked. They grow in clusters, fascicles or cymes, sometimes spike-like from leaf axils with bracts present. The flowers are bisexual. There are mostly five sepals per flower, otherwise four, in some species the sepals are equal.

The mostly five petals overlap in bud and spread in open flowers. They are longer than the sepals, oblong to nearly round and sometimes wavy or with fringed margins. Corolla colour is white, yellow, green, red or pink.

Most species have five stamens per flower with flattened filaments shorter than the petals. The stamens are free or grow from receptacle discs. The superior or half-inferior ovaries are mostly stalkless, sometimes half embedded in the disc. An ovary has up to three locules, each containing two ovules. The styles are usually short, the stigmas lobed.

The smooth fruits are dehiscent, woody or leathery capsules. The red brown seeds have orange, rarely white arils that may cover the seeds completely.

There are about 150 Maytenus species widespread in the tropics and subtropics, about 11 in southern Africa. Some species feature in medicine and traditional medicine.

The plant in picture is Maytenus oleoides (Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Coates Palgrave, 2002).