2. Celastrus scandens L. (American bittersweet)
Pl. 350 f, g;
Map 1503
Bark light gray,
that of older branches smooth. Leaves with petioles 1–2 cm long. Leaf blades 5–12
cm long, 2–7 cm wide, mostly elliptic or obovate, the margins bluntly toothed,
rounded to angled or short-tapered at the base, rounded to more commonly
sharply tapered at the tip, both surfaces glabrous, the upper surface green to
dark green, the undersurface light green to pale green. Flowers in clusters of
12–40, terminal on the branches. Sepals 1.0–1.5 mm long. Petals 3–4 mm long,
1.0–1.5 mm wide, narrowly oblong, rounded at the tip, greenish white to white.
Fruits 6–8 mm long, 8–10 mm in diameter, the valves with the outer surface
orange at maturity, the inner surface pale yellow to nearly white. 2n=46.
May–June.
Scattered nearly
throughout the state (eastern U.S. to Montana and Texas; Canada). Bottomland
forests, mesic upland forests, bases and ledges of bluffs, and margins of
upland prairies, loess hill prairies, and glades; also fencerows, railroads,
and roadsides.
This is the only
species of Celastrus native to North America. Bees are probably the
major pollinators, although wind pollination also may occur.