coriaria

Coriaria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Coriariaceae, within the order Celastrales. The genus comprises a small number of species native to temperate and subtropical regions of both hemispheres, including parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. Notable species include Coriaria myrtifolia, native to the Mediterranean region, and Coriaria arborea, found in New Zealand.

Species in the genus Coriaria are woody shrubs or small trees. They produce small, inconspicuous flowers arranged in clusters and are commonly dioecious, with separate male and female plants. The fruit is a fleshy berry that ripens to red or dark colors and typically contains one or more seeds.

Coriaria species contain several toxic compounds; the berries and other plant tissues can be poisonous to humans and livestock if ingested. Poisoning is mainly associated with ingestion of the berries and seeds and may cause gastrointestinal and nervous-system symptoms. Because of toxicity, these plants are not generally cultivated for food.

The best-known species include Coriaria myrtifolia (Mediterranean region) and Coriaria arborea (New Zealand and adjacent regions). Other species occur in Asia and the Americas, often in specific habitats such as montane or coastal ecosystems.

Coriaria is the primary or sole genus in the small family Coriariaceae. Taxonomic relationships within Celastrales have been clarified by modern molecular methods, and classifications typically recognize Coriaria as the main representative of its family.