Climbing Bittersweet, American bittersweet

Celastrus scandens

Physical Characteristics

Celastrus scandens is a deciduous Climber growing to 8 m (26ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - Quebec, south to North Carolina and New Mexico..

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Stem Edible Uses: Bark and twigs - they must be cooked[105]. The thickish bark is sweet and palatable after boiling[2, 161, 177]. Another report says that it is the inner bark that is used, and that it is a starvation food, only used when other foods are in short supply[257]. Some caution is advised in the use of this plant since there are suggestions of toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Analgesic Antirheumatic Cancer Cardiac Diaphoretic Diuretic Dysentery Emetic Skin Climbing bittersweet was employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes, though it is scarcely used in modern herbalism[257]. The root is diaphoretic, diuretic and emetic[222]. It is a folk remedy for chronic liver and skin ailments (including skin cancer), rheumatism, leucorrhoea, dysentery and suppressed menses[222]. A strong compound infusion, usually combined with raspberry leaf tea, has been used to reduce the pain of childbirth[257]. A poultice of the boiled root has been used to treat obstinate sores, skin eruptions etc[257]. Externally, the bark is used as an ointment on burns, scrapes and skin eruptions[222]. Extracts of the bark are thought to be cardioactive[222]. Many plants in this genus contain compounds of interest for their antitumour activity[218].

Known Hazards

The fruit is poisonous[222]. All parts of the plant are potentially toxic[222].