Bittersweet beauty

American bittersweet, (Celastrus scandens)

One the best parts of fall for a flower spy is the rich assortment of textures to be discovered where flowers and leaves once bloomed. Multi-colored berries on stems sprouting in shades of gold, indigo, burnt orange, and crimson are everywhere from trees to bushes to plants. The greatest part about them is that they can be cut and used in autumn holiday arrangements.

American, or False bittersweet, (Celastrus scandens) is a perfect example, but like many of nature's plants, things are starting to change for this neglected beauty. As well, hearing the term “false” can make you wonder what is “true” bittersweet? There is in fact true bittersweet, but it is a different plant known as dulcamara, or bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara). Literally meaning bitter and sweet in Latin, dulcamara is more poisonous than American bittersweet, and its berries are green and red, with small purple flowers in the summer.

Bittersweet Nightshade, (Solanum dulcamara)

American bittersweet is a species native to central eastern U.S. and has long branches with many clusters of gold and red berries. There is another variety of the same family found in America, the Japanese bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), which was brought over for ornamental use. Differentiating between the two can be tough, but one way is to look for the placement of the berries. American bittersweet has berries on the ends of the branches while the Japanese variety grows on the length of the branch and bears blunt thorns. Another difference is that the American bittersweet is an innocuous vine that’s starting to become endangered, while the Japanese variety is taking over and threatening the environment by strangling and killing trees, a process called “girdling.”

Japanese bittersweet, (Celastrus orbiculatus)

Japanese bittersweet vines have spread so prolifically that they are beginning to displace the native American plants. Unfortunately, they are a better competitor in the woods; their fruits bear a brighter shade of red and produce more seeds, making it easier for birds to disperse them. Their seeds are also better at photosynthesizing, and are able to absorb light from a wider range of the spectrum (Dreyer 1985).

Bittersweet up close

Either type of bittersweet is easy to spot after a frost or two. They tend to grow on the tops of trees and shrubs in order to get sunlight. When it’s sunny or warm, the berry’s golden outer shell pops open, yielding bright orange-red berries inside. While most florists carry them, you can cut your own branches yourself if you know where to look. But beware! Bittersweet is usually surrounded by thickets, and this is a vine that tangles easily; the berries can stain, so be prepared for some work. However, if you love having natural elements in your home and don't mind a little effort, bittersweet makes a beautiful statement in a container or as an arrangement. If it's Japanese bittersweet you find, you'll be doing the trees and environment a favor by cutting it! American bittersweet also needs trimming at the end of the season, so don't worry about cutting this neglected beauty, just make sure not to damage the root.