Celastrus n 1: genus of woody vines and erect shrubs (type genus of the Celastraceae) that is native chiefly to Asia and Australia: includes bittersweet [syn: {Celastrus}, {genus Celastrus}]
Celastrus \Celastrus\ n. the type genus of the {Celastraceae}, comprising the plants called {climbing bittersweet}; bittersweet and shrubby bittersweet; they are woody vines and shrubs native chiefly to Asia and Australia, bearing yellow to orange capsules which open to expose red-coated seeds. See also {bittersweet[3b]}. Syn: genus {Celastrus}. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]