Monroe County Master Gardener Association

Photos and article by Gail K.

Sorry for the delay, but I felt given the time of year-many of you would probably not visit the blog. Besides, to continue this quest is a great way to start off the new year……. Before we start, take a moment to go back in the blog and reacquaint yourself with the subject matter—a quest to identify “the plant”. Moving on; it is apparent the unknown plant is not bittersweet, despite those berries. Since mentioning, I want to share some of the notable traits of NATIVE bittersweet. As habitats are lost– native plant species are being destroyed.
To that end- is a goal to teach gardeners how to once again incorporate native plants into their gardens. Not just flowering plants but those that provide food.

Paul, offered to help give some details on native bittersweet. Many of us heard Paul speak of this plant on the tour of his native garden. For you who did not get to attend here are some highlights. American Bittersweet-Celustus Scandens L.

First notable:glossy green “summer” foliage. This plant looses it leaves (unlike the unknown) The bittersweet are the rounded bushes in the background/ on left side of photo.

Next notable: the fruit……….

(see above) In the native, the ripe fruits are orange to yellow orange. there are 2-4 cells in each “berry” and 1-2 seeds in each cell.

Here is the fruit of the invasive bittersweet

Here is the fruit of the unknown plant.

In the native bittersweet-each seed is enclosed by a bright scarlet fleshy aril–not much different than the other two plant types.

The non native produces more seeds and birds prefer them over the native berries. Another notable is the flower-the native flowers are small & fragrant–greenish white or greenish yellow in color, growing in clusters at the branch tips. Not much different from the other two plants—but the non native has higher pollen viability and is more efficient in photosynthesis. Since I don’t know what the other plant is, I have nothing to compare on that. The American Bittersweet can girdle & kill live plants that it uses for support. just like the non-native but the growth habitat of the non native is to grow “over” preventing photosynthesis. Paul has sent us some PDF info on both of these plants and I would suggest reading over these to better inform yourself. (Click on PDF file to open)
Bittersweet-American and Oriental Identification USDA

Bittersweet-American and Oriental Identification

Since it seems that the oriental is displacing the native and in some instances, if the two species are found together–there is evidence of hybridizing–conservation groups are making efforts to get rid of the oriental version. Attached is another note: and a volunteer effort to learn and to help (these can be used for your 2019 MG re-certification credits).

Next week: The answer to the quest