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Bittersweet - Celastrus scandens
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
DRAFT: Requesting feedback on the 2026 revised rank, factors, and State Rank Reason outlined below and in the Conservation Status Rank Report.
Celastrus scandens is rare in Montana, where it is restricted to the easternmost counties, which are at the western edge of the species' range. The species has been observed at several sites in the last 10-15 years. However, population size and extent are poorly documented or have been documented to only have a few plants. The species' habitat has been negatively impacted by livestock grazing and non-native species. However, it is uncertain to what degree these threats have negatively impacted the species' abundance and distribution so far. The combination of the species' rarity in conjunction with negative impacts to its habitat and potential, ongoing threats, places the species at high risk of extirpation in the state.
Surveys are greatly needed to document population size and extent, habitat quality and threats for all occurrences. Additional surveys of other potentially suitable habitat are also needed to determine if the species may be more abundant than what is current
General Description
Bittersweet is a climbing woody vine with twisting stems that reach up to 18 m long. The alternate, elliptic leaf blades, 5-10 cm long, taper to a pointed tip and have finely serrated edges and petioles reaching up to 3 cm long. The greenish, unisexual flowers are borne in narrow inflorescences which are 3-8 cm long at the end of the stems. The flowers have a cup-shaped calyx which is 2-3 mm high and composed of 5 sepals that are united at the base and of 5 spreading petals that are 3-6 mm long. Male flowers have 5 stamens, while female flowers have a single 3-parted ovary. Fruit is an orange or yellowish capsule, 1 cm in diameter, that splits along three lines to expose the single, large, bright orangish red seed.
Phenology
Flowering and fruiting May-July; fruits persisting in fall.
Diagnostic Characteristics
The combination of alternate leaves, lack of tendrils, and orange fruits with red seeds distinguish this species from all other vines in our area.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
In Richland and Dawson Counties, Montana. Occurs from SK to QC south to WY, TX, TN and NC (Lesica et al. 2012).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 15
(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version)
Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Riparian woodlands, green ash woodlands, and thickets on the plains.
National Vegetation Classification System Groups Associated with this Species
Forest and Woodland
Deciduous Forest and Woodland
Wetland and Riparian
Riparian and Wetland Forest
Ecology
American bittersweet is sometimes planted as an ornamental because the cluster of red fruits persist until mid-winter (McGregor et al. 1986). In deeply shaded habitats, plants may not produce fruits (McGregor et al. 1986).
Birds often eat the fruit of American Bittersweet, but it may be poisonous to humans and there are reports of horses being poisoned from eating the leaves (McGregor et al. 1986).
Stewardship Responsibility
Threats or Limiting Factors
STATE THREAT SCORE REASON
Reported threats to Montana's populations of Bittersweet are those that have negative impacts to its habitat in woody draws (MTNHP Threat Assessment 2021). Plants were observed to have lower vigor from livestock grazing and trampling. Colonization of woody draws by non-native grasses, Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis) and Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) are suspected of impacting Bittersweet’s ability to regenerate and thrive. The use of herbicides to control non-native grasses has the potential to negatively impact Bittersweet. However, the severity and scope of these reported threats needs to be determined.
References
- Literature Cited AboveLegend:
View Online Publication- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 771 p.
- McGregor, R.L. (coordinator), T.M. Barkley, R.E. Brooks, and E.K. Schofield (eds). 1986. Flora of the Great Plains: Great Plains Flora Association. Lawrence, KS: Univ. Press Kansas. 1392 pp.
MTNHP Threat Assessment. 2021. State Threat Score Assignment and Assessment of Reported Threats from 2006 to 2021 for State-listed Vascular Plants. Botany Program, Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, Montana.
- Additional ReferencesLegend: View Online Publication
Do you know of a citation we're missing?- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2022. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants, Second Edition. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 779 p.
- Web Search Engines for Articles on "Bittersweet"
