Flower ID: IMG_8563.JPG-08-12-2021 Flower name (scientific): Celastrus scandens Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) sel-ASS-trus SKAN-dens Flower name (common): American Bittersweet Family name (common): Staff-tree Family name (scientific): Celastraceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From Greek for the name of an evergreen tree. Specific epithet: Latin for climbing, which refers to woody vine character of the plant. Common name origin: From the location of its native range. The fruit was supposed to resemble that of the vine Solanum dulcamara, which was also called bittersweet. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.3 inches (5 to 8 mm) Petal count: 5 Color: green or white Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: 120 to 590 inches (3 to 15 m) long. Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, oblong (FNA), ovate (IL), elliptic or obovate (MP) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): May to June Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Woodlands, savannas, fields, prairies, thickets, roadsides, sun or semi shade. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental Bittersweet) is similar to Celastrus scandens. The petals of Celastrus orbiculatus are greenish and the leaves broadly elliptic to nearly orbicular in shape, whereas the petals of Celastrus scandens are greenish-white and the leaves elliptic or obovate in shape. Ethnobotany: The Menominee used the inner bark when regular food is difficult to find (Smith, p. 63, 1923). The Chippewa prepared an ointment from the roots and used it to treat cancer and sores (Gilmore, p. 135, 1933). The Ojibwe used the berries for stomach issues (Smith, p. 362, 1932). The Ojibwe also use the bark in the same fashion as the Menominee (Smith, p. 398, 1932). Latitude: 44.798798 Longitude: -91.525677 Altitude: 263.60 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (MB, NB, ON, QC, SK) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU