The Celastrales are an order of flowering plants found throughout the tropics and subtropics, with only a few species extending far into the temperate regions. The 1200 to 1350 species are in about 100 genera. All but seven of these genera are in the large family Celastraceae. The anthophytes are a grouping of plant taxa bearing flower-like reproductive structures. They were formerly thought to be a clade comprising plants bearing flower-like structures. The group contained the angiosperms – the extant flowering plants, such as roses and grasses – as well as the Gnetales and the extinct Bennettitales.

23,420 species of vascular plant have been recorded in South Africa, making it the sixth most species-rich country in the world and the most species-rich country on the African continent. Of these, 153 species are considered to be threatened. Nine biomes have been described in South Africa: Fynbos, Succulent Karoo, desert, Nama Karoo, grassland, savanna, Albany thickets, the Indian Ocean coastal belt, and forests.

The 2018 South African National Biodiversity Institute's National Biodiversity Assessment plant checklist lists 35,130 taxa in the phyla Anthocerotophyta (hornworts (6)), Anthophyta (flowering plants (33534)), Bryophyta (mosses (685)), Cycadophyta (cycads (42)), Lycopodiophyta (Lycophytes(45)), Marchantiophyta (liverworts (376)), Pinophyta (conifers (33)), and Pteridophyta (cryptogams (408)).

One family is represented in the literature. Listed taxa include species, subspecies, varieties, and forms as recorded, some of which have subsequently been allocated to other taxa as synonyms, in which cases the accepted taxon is appended to the listing. Multiple entries under alternative names reflect taxonomic revision over time.

Celastraceae Family Celastraceae

Allocassine Genus Allocassine: Allocassine laurifolia (Harv.) N.Robson, indigenous

Cassine Genus Cassine: Cassine aethiopica Thunb. accepted as Mystroxylon aethiopicum (Thunb.) Loes. subsp. aethiopicum, present Cassine barbara L. accepted as Cassine peragua L. subsp. barbara (L.) R.H.Archer, present Cassine burkeana (Sond.) Kuntze, accepted as Mystroxylon aethiopicum (Thunb.) Loes. subsp. burkeanum (Sond.) R.H.Archer, present Cassine crocea (Thunb.) Kuntze, accepted as Elaeodendron croceum (Thunb.) DC. present Cassine eucleiformis (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze, accepted as Robsonodendron eucleiforme (Eckl. & Zeyh.) R.H.Archer, present Cassine maritima (Bolus) F.Bolus & L.Bolus, accepted as Robsonodendron maritimum (Bolus) R.H.Archer, present Cassine matabelicum (Loes.) Steedman, accepted as Elaeodendron matabelicum Loes. Cassine papillosa (Hochst.) Kuntze, accepted as Elaeodendron croceum (Thunb.) DC. present Cassine parvifolia Sond., endemic Cassine peragua L. indigenous Cassine peragua L. subsp. affinis (Sond.) R.H.Archer, endemic Cassine peragua L. subsp. barbara (L.) R.H.Archer, endemic Cassine peragua L. subsp. peragua, indigenous Cassine reticulata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Codd, accepted as Lauridia reticulata Eckl. & Zeyh. present Cassine stuhlmannii (Loes.) Blakelock, accepted as Elaeodendron schlechterianum (Loes.) Loes. present Cassine tetragona (L.f.) Druce, accepted as Lauridia tetragona (L.f.) R.H.Archer, present Cassine tetragona (L.f.) Loes., accepted as Lauridia tetragona (L.f.) R.H.Archer, present Cassine tetragona (Thunb.) Loes., accepted as Lauridia tetragona (L.f.) R.H.Archer, present Cassine transvaalensis (Burtt Davy) Codd, accepted as Elaeodendron transvaalense (Burtt Davy) R.H.Archer, present

Catha

Genus Catha: Catha abbottii A.E.van Wyk & M.Prins, accepted as Lydenburgia abbottii (A.E.van Wyk & M.Prins) Steenkamp, A.E.van Wyk & M.Prins, present Catha campestris (Eckl. & Zeyh.) C.Presl, accepted as Putterlickia pyracantha (L.) Szyszyl. indigenous Catha edulis (Vahl) Forssk. ex Endl. indigenous Catha transvaalensis Codd, accepted as Lydenburgia cassinoides N.Robson, present

Celastrus Genus Celastrus: Celastrus campestris Eckl. & Zeyh. accepted as Putterlickia pyracantha (L.) Szyszyl. indigenous Celastrus obtusus Thunb. accepted as Putterlickia pyracantha (L.) Szyszyl. indigenous Celastrus pyracanthus L. accepted as Putterlickia pyracantha (L.) Szyszyl. endemic Celastrus saxatilis Burch. accepted as Putterlickia saxatilis (Burch.) Jordaan, endemic Celastrus tetragonus Thunb. accepted as Lauridia tetragona (L.f.) R.H.Archer, present Celastrus verrucosus Sond. accepted as Putterlickia verrucosa (E.Mey. ex Sond.) Szyszyl. endemic

Elachyptera Genus Elachyptera: Elachyptera parvifolia (Oliv.) N.Halle, indigenous

Elaeodendron

Genus Elaeodendron: Elaeodendron croceum (Thunb.) DC. indigenous Elaeodendron schinoides Spreng. endemic to Cape Provinces Elaeodendron transvaalense (Burtt Davy) R.H.Archer, indigenous Elaeodendron zeyheri Spreng. ex Turcz. indigenous

Empleuridium Genus Empleuridium: Empleuridium juniperinum Sond. endemic

Gloveria Genus Gloveria: Gloveria integrifolia (L.f.) Jordaan, endemic

Gymnosporia

Genus Gymnosporia: Gymnosporia angularis (Sond.) Sim, accepted as Gymnosporia heterophylla (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Loes. present Gymnosporia angularis (Sond.) Sim var. grandifolia Davison, accepted as Gymnosporia grandifolia (Davison) Jordaan, present Gymnosporia angularis (Sond.) Sim var. orbiculata Davison, indigenous Gymnosporia arenicola Jordaan, indigenous Gymnosporia bachmannii Loes. endemic Gymnosporia buxifolia (L.) Szyszyl. indigenous Gymnosporia capitata (E.Mey. ex Sond.) Loes. endemic Gymnosporia crataegiflora Davidson, accepted as Gymnosporia woodii Szyszyl. present Gymnosporia devenishii Jordaan, endemic Gymnosporia elliptica (Thunb.) Schonland, endemic Gymnosporia filiformis Davidson, endemic Gymnosporia gariepensis Jordaan, indigenous Gymnosporia glaucophylla Jordaan, indigenous Gymnosporia grandifolia (Davison) Jordaan, indigenous Gymnosporia graniticola Jordaan, accepted as Gymnosporia swazica Jordaan Gymnosporia harveyana Loes. indigenous Gymnosporia harveyana Loes. subsp. harveyana, indigenous Gymnosporia hemipterocarpa Jordaan, indigenous Gymnosporia heterophylla (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Loes. indigenous Gymnosporia linearis (L.f.) Loes. indigenous Gymnosporia linearis (L.f.) Loes. subsp. lanceolata (E.Mey. ex Sond.) Jordaan, indigenous Gymnosporia linearis (L.f.) Loes. subsp. linearis, endemic Gymnosporia macrocarpa Jordaan, endemic Gymnosporia maranguensis (Loes.) Loes. indigenous Gymnosporia markwardii Jordaan, indigenous Gymnosporia mossambicensis (Klotzsch) Loes. indigenous Gymnosporia mossambicensis (Klotzsch) Loes. var. rubra (Harv.) Loes. indigenous Gymnosporia nemorosa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Szyszyl. indigenous Gymnosporia oxycarpa (N.Robson) Jordaan, indigenous Gymnosporia polyacantha (Sond.) Szyszyl. endemic Gymnosporia polyacantha (Sond.) Szyszyl. subsp. polyacantha, endemic Gymnosporia polyacantha (Sond.) Szyszyl. subsp. vaccinifolia (P.Conrath) Jordaan, endemic Gymnosporia pubescens (N.Robson) Jordaan, indigenous Gymnosporia putterlickioides Loes., indigenous Gymnosporia putterlickioides Loes. subsp. putterlickioides, indigenous Gymnosporia rubra (Harv.) Loes. endemic Gymnosporia saxatilis (Burch.) Davison, accepted as Putterlickia saxatilis (Burch.) Jordaan, endemic Gymnosporia senegalensis (Lam.) Loes. indigenous Gymnosporia swazica Jordaan, indigenous Gymnosporia tenuispina (Sond.) Szyszyl. indigenous Gymnosporia uniflora Davison, indigenous Gymnosporia vanwykii (R.H.Archer) Jordaan, endemic Gymnosporia woodii Szyszyl. endemic

Hippocratea Genus Hippocratea: Hippocratea africana (Willd.) Loes. accepted as Loeseneriella africana (Willd.) N.Halle var. africana, present Hippocratea africana (Willd.) Loes. var. richardiana (Cambess.) N.Robson, accepted as Loeseneriella africana (Willd.) N.Halle var. richardiana (Cambess.) N.Halle, present Hippocratea buchananii Loes. accepted as Reissantia buchananii (Loes.) N.Halle Hippocratea crenata (Klotzsch) K.Schum. & Loes. accepted as Loeseneriella crenata (Klotzsch) R.Wilczek ex N.Halle var. crenata, present Hippocratea delagoensis Loes. accepted as Prionostemma delagoensis (Loes.) N.Halle var. delagoensis, present Hippocratea indica Willd. accepted as Reissantia indica (Willd.) N.Halle var. orientalis N.Halle & B.Mathew, present Hippocratea longipetiolata Oliv. accepted as Pristimera longipetiolata (Oliv.) N.Halle, present Hippocratea parviflora N.E.Br. accepted as Reissantia parviflora (N.E.Br.) N.Halle Hippocratea parvifolia Oliv. accepted as Elachyptera parvifolia (Oliv.) N.Halle, present Hippocratea schlechteri Loes. var. peglerae Loes. accepted as Pristimera bojeri (Tul.) N.Halle, present

Lauridia

Genus Lauridia: Lauridia reticulata Eckl. & Zeyh. endemic Lauridia rupicola Eckl. & Zeyh. accepted as Lauridia reticulata Eckl. & Zeyh. present Lauridia tetragona (L.f.) R.H.Archer, indigenous

Loeseneriella Genus Loeseneriella: Loeseneriella africana (Willd.) N.Halle, indigenous Loeseneriella africana (Willd.) N.Halle var. richardiana (Cambess.) N.Halle, indigenous Loeseneriella crenata (Klotzsch) R.Wilczek ex N.Halle, indigenous Loeseneriella crenata (Klotzsch) R.Wilczek ex N.Halle var. crenata, indigenous

Lydenburgia Genus Lydenburgia: Lydenburgia abbottii (A.E.van Wyk & M.Prins) Steenkamp, A.E.van Wyk & M.Prins, endemic Lydenburgia cassinoides N.Robson, endemic

Maurocenia Genus Maurocenia: Maurocenia frangula Mill. endemic Maurocenia frangularia Willd., accepted as Maurocenia frangula Mill. endemic

Maytenus

Genus Maytenus: Maytenus abbottii A.E.van Wyk, endemic Maytenus acuminata (L.f.) Loes. indigenous Maytenus acuminata (L.f.) Loes. var. acuminata, indigenous Maytenus albata (N.E.Br.) E.Schmidt bis & Jordaan, indigenous Maytenus bachmannii (Loes.) Marais, accepted as Gymnosporia bachmannii Loes. present Maytenus capitata (E.Mey. ex Sond.) Marais, accepted as Gymnosporia capitata (E.Mey. ex Sond.) Loes. present Maytenus cordata (E.Mey. ex Sond.) Loes. endemic Maytenus deflexa (Sprague) E.Schmidt bis & Jordaan, endemic Maytenus heterophylla (Eckl. & Zeyh.) N.Robson subsp. glauca N.Robson, accepted as Gymnosporia glaucophylla Jordaan, present Maytenus ilicina (Burch.) Loes. endemic Maytenus lucida (L.) Loes. endemic Maytenus monococca (Davison) Loes. endemic Maytenus mossambicensis (Klotzsch) Blakelock, accepted as Gymnosporia mossambicensis (Klotzsch) Loes. indigenous Maytenus mossambicensis (Klotzsch) Blakelock var. rubra (Harv.) Blakelock, accepted as Gymnosporia rubra (Harv.) Loes. present Maytenus nemorosa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Marais, accepted as Gymnosporia nemorosa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Szyszyl. present Maytenus oleoides (Lam.) Loes. endemic Maytenus oleosa A.E.van Wyk & R.H.Archer, endemic Maytenus oxycarpa N.Robson, accepted as Gymnosporia oxycarpa (N.Robson) Jordaan, present Maytenus peduncularis (Sond.) Loes. indigenous Maytenus polyacantha (Sond.) Marais, accepted as Gymnosporia polyacantha (Sond.) Szyszyl. indigenous Maytenus procumbens (L.f.) Loes. indigenous Maytenus pubescens N.Robson, accepted as Gymnosporia pubescens (N.Robson) Jordaan, present Maytenus putterlickioides (Loes.) Exell & Mendonça, accepted as Gymnosporia putterlickioides Loes. subsp. putterlickioides, present Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell, accepted as Gymnosporia senegalensis (Lam.) Loes. present Maytenus tenuispina (Sond.) Marais, accepted as Gymnosporia tenuispina (Sond.) Szyszyl. present Maytenus undata (Thunb.) Blakelock, indigenous Maytenus vanwykii R.H.Archer, accepted as Gymnosporia vanwykii (R.H.Archer) Jordaan, present

Mystroxylon

Genus Mystroxylon: Mystroxylon aethiopicum (Thunb.) Loes. indigenous Mystroxylon aethiopicum (Thunb.) Loes. subsp. aethiopicum, endemic Mystroxylon aethiopicum (Thunb.) Loes. subsp. burkeanum (Sond.) R.H.Archer, endemic Mystroxylon aethiopicum (Thunb.) Loes. subsp. schlechteri (Loes.) R.H.Archer, indigenous