American bittersweet, known botanically as Celastrus scandens, is native to the United States. It is from the Celastraceae, or bittersweet, family of plants.
American Bittersweet Description
This spreading vine can grow to 30 feet long. It has deciduous leaves that are dark green and ovate. They will turn a green-yellow come the fall season. The flowers are small and green, not very showy but after blooming have a orange capsule that can split to show a crimson aril. The capsule itself is quite showy. The fruits are bicolored and held in drooping clusters. Bloom season is between May and June.
Growing Guide
This perennial can grow in any lighting or soil conditions with the exception of soil pH level. It will need a nearly neutral pH; not acidic or alkaline. It prefers well-drained soils. Propagate by seeds, root cuttings, hardwood cuttings, suckers, softwood cuttings, and by layers. Seeds need two to three weeks of air-drying and two to six months of stratification.
American Bittersweet Warning
All parts of the plant and the seeds are poisonous. They have a low toxicity and should not be ingested. The symptoms of the poisoning are diarrhea, vomiting, and the loss of consciousness.
Distribution
The American bittersweet can be found throughout the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
It can typically be seen in stream banks, thickets, roadsides, and hillsides.
The American bittersweet is a nice vine to have around the property. It has interesting orange capsules and leaves that change colors in the fall. They are very adaptable to planting conditions and have a wide variety of ways to be propagated.
Source: NPIN