Appearance
It has a sturdy perennial vine that may have twining, woody stems that are 30 feet or longer and an inch or more thick at the base. The stems are yellowish-green to brown and wind around other vegetation, sometimes killing saplings by restricting further growth. It has tiny, scentless flowers at the tips of the branches. It has colorful, orange fruits that are the size of a pea.
Naming
''C. scandens'' is native to central and eastern North America. It was given the name ''Bittersweet'' by European colonists in the 18th century because the fruits resembled the appearance of the fruits of Eurasian Nightshade, which was also called ''Bittersweet''. Today, ''American Bittersweet'' is the accepted common name of ''C. scandens'' in large part to distinguish it from an invasive relative, ''C. orbiculatus'' , from Asia.
Uses
These fruits are poisonous to humans when ingested internally, but are favorites of birds. ''C. scandens'' roots were used by Native Americans and pioneers to induce vomiting, to treat venereal disease, and to treat symptoms of tuberculosis.References:
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