Leaves elliptic to oblanceolate, rarely lanceolate, mostly 4-12 cm long, 10-45 mm wide, apex acute, sometimes acuminate or rounded, margins finely and often irregularly toothed to rarely entire, hairless and glossy, veins slightly raised on upper surface; petiole 2-5 mm long.
Green to orange, globular 3 segmented capsule splitting to reveal a brown seed surrounded by a red aril. Fruit is ripe February-June.

Photo: Robert Whyte
Flowers in bud
The insect shown here is a crane fly, family Tipulidae), possibly a Tiger Crane Fly Nephrotoma australasiae. Flies in this family look like giant mosquitoes.

Photo: Robert Whyte
New Growth
Celastrus subspicatus (CELASTRACEAE) Large Leaved Staff Vine

Photo: Robert Whyte
Flowers closeup
The name Denhamia after Captain Dixon Denham (1786-1826), English traveller and explorer; celastroides from family Celastraceae and Greek oides resembling because of the species resemblance to the genus Celastrastrus

Photo: Robert Whyte