Bittersweet – Celastrus scandens

Common Name: Bittersweet

Botanical Name: Celastrus scandens, se-LAS-trus SCAN-denz

Decorative Life: Weeks to many months.

Flower Color: Red, Yellow

Availability: Fall, Winter

• Member of the Celastraceae (staff-tree family).
• Native to the Eastern US.
• Related species include Euonymous and Mayten.

• Showy red fruits held in loose clusters at the ends of branches.
• Branches 18-24 inches long, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined.
• Plant is a climbing woody shrub (vine).

34-38F.

• Male and female flowers occur on separate plants so some of both sexes must be planted together in order to get fruiting branches. The specific epithet name “scandens” means climbing.
• The attractive red part of the fruit is actually a fleshy covering called aril, which encases the fruit.
• Normally harvested from the wild in the fall, often in the northeastern and east central portions of the US.
• The cut stems are long-lasting when used fresh and may also be used preserved or dried.