Quercus

American Bittersweet

Celastrus scandens

Native to Kentucky (estimated)

Poisonous if eaten; vigorous vine. Poisonous plant parts and woody stems that can strangle supports make this a poor default garden swap. Plant caution source

Hidden from default planting suggestions. Wildlife value and native status remain unchanged.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

6CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including KY

Genus host records with ranges including KY · Celastrus

  • Acharia stimuleaSaddleback Caterpillar Moth
  • Antepione thisoariaVariable Antepione
  • Eutrapela clematariaCurved-Tooth Geometer, Purplish Brown Looper
  • Herpetogramma thestealisZigzag Herpetogramma, Subtle-Feathered Grass Moth
  • Pleuroprucha insulsariaCommon Tan Wave
  • Tetracis cachexiataWhite Slant-Line
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
6BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Celastrus

  • Bonasa umbellusRuffed Grouse
  • Catharus guttatusHermit Thrush
  • Myadestes townsendiTownsend's Solitaire
  • Sialia sialisEastern Bluebird
  • Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin
  • Vireo olivaceusRed-eyed Vireo
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Celastraceae
Hardiness
Zones 3a–8b
Soil pH
Alkaline
Flower color
Green, orange or white
Growth rate
Rapid
Growth habit
Forms thickets
Foliage color
Green
Fruit begins
Summer
Fruit ends
Fall
Growing sources and scope
Also known as

American Bittersweet

Conservation status

Kentucky rankS5
Global rankG5
KY statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

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Sources