Cassine (genus)

Cassine is a plant genus of the family of spindle tree family ( Celastraceae ).

Description

Cassine are bare trees or shrubs. The leaves are opposite, rarely nearly opposite, on the edges they are entire or glandular - crenate.

The inflorescence is achselbürtig and sympodial. The flowers are bisexual, rarely unisexual and four to fünfzählig, the discus is fleshy and lobulated or completely. The anthers open lengthwise to the center of the flower out (rarely away from him), the ovary is two to dreifächrig, for each subject there are two upright ovules.

The fruit is a spherical, fleshy or leathery berry, with one or two ( rarely up to six) seeds. The seeds are spherical or elliptical and rich in protein.

Dissemination

The genus is endemic to South Africa, where it grows in forests, Woodlands, the fynbos and scrubland.

System

The genus has been grouped with other genera, such as with Elaeodendron. However, recent studies confirmed their independence. It comprises three species, including:

• Cassine peragua L.

Evidence

• M. P. Simmons: Celastraceae. In: Klaus Kubitzki (ed.): The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants - Volume VI - Flowering Plants - Dicotyledons - Celastrales, Oxalidales, Rosales, Cornales, Ericales. 2004, pp. 29-64