Scientific Name:	Celastrus scandens
Pronunciation:	suh-LASS-truss SKAN-dens
Common Name:	American bittersweet
Family Name:	Celastraceae
Plant Type:	Vine or climber
Key ID Features:	A sturdy perennial vine; stems twining, yellowish-green to brown, may wind around other vegetation; fruit orange, the size of a peas with red seeds inside.
Course(s):	Level 3 Apprenticeship

Habit: Arching, Twiggy Form: Climbing Texture: Medium Mature Size: Height: 5 - 7m Spread: 3 - 4m Growth Rate: Fast Origin: Canada - central, Canada - eastern, U.S. - central, U.S. - northeast Hardiness Rating: Zone 3: (-40 to -34 C) Exposure: Full sun, Part sun/part shade Soil/ Growing Medium: Landscape Uses: Attract birds, Dryland (no watering), Fall interest, Mixed shrub border, Woodland margin (Caution: poisonous parts) Additional Info: Google Images

Leaf Morphology: Form: Simple Arrangement: Alternate Texture/ Venation: Pinnate venation, Soft flexible Surfaces: Glabrous, Lustrous Colour in Summer: Green Colour in Fall: Yellow Leaf(let) Terms: Shapes: Elliptic, Ovate Apices: Acuminate Bases: Attenuate Margins: Serrate

Inflorescence Type: Panicle-like, Raceme Flower Morphology: Dioecious plant Number of Petals: 5 Corolla Shape: Rotate/stellate Ovary Position: Superior Colour (petals): Green-yellow Flower Scent: None Flower Time at Peak: Jun

Fruit Type: Capsule Fruit Colour: Yellow, Orange, (red seeds) Fruiting Time: Sep, Oct Additional Info: Showy, Accessory tissue, Persistent, Enclosed in an aril (berry-like).

Bark or Stem Colour: Grey, Brown, Yellow     Organ Modifications: Prickles

Propagation:	Seed, Hardwood cuttings, Division - below ground parts, Softwood cuttings
Pest Susceptibility:	Deer resistant

Location(s): (NCA) Not Currently Available : needed Location Map

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