Post by Okwes on Dec 19, 2006 12:28:25 GMT -5
American Bittersweet :NDN medicinal uses of and description/range &
Posted by: "Shirl4116@aol.com" Shirl4116@aol.com shirl4116
Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:06 pm (PST)
_http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Celastrus+scandens_
(http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Celastrus+scandens)
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Cherokee Drug (Analgesic)
Strong compound infusion used for pain of childbirth.
Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses --
A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 25)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Cherokee Drug (Antirheumatic (External))
Thorny branch used to scratch rheumatism.
Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses --
A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 25)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Cherokee Drug (Cough Medicine)
Root chewed for cough.
Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses --
A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 25)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Cherokee Drug (Dermatological Aid)
Decoction of highly astringent leaves taken for bowel complaint.
Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses --
A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 25)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Cherokee Drug (Dermatological Aid)
Used as wash for "foul ulcers."
Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses --
A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 25)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Cherokee Drug (Gastrointestinal Aid)
Infusion of bark used to settle stomach and decoction given for bowel
complaint.
Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses --
A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 25)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Cherokee Drug (Gynecological Aid)
Strong infusion combined with red raspberry leaves and used for childbirth
pains.
Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses --
A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 25)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Chippewa Drug (Cancer Treatment)
Boiled roots used as an ointment for cancer.
Gilmore, Melvin R. 1933 Some Chippewa Uses of Plants. Ann Arbor. University
of Michigan Press (p. 135)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Chippewa Drug (Cathartic)
Decoction of root used, especially for babies, as a physic.
Densmore, Frances 1928 Uses of Plants by the Chippewa Indians. SI-BAE Annual
Report #44:273-379 (p. 344)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Chippewa Drug (Dermatological Aid)
Decoction of stalk applied to skin "eruptions."
Densmore, Frances 1928 Uses of Plants by the Chippewa Indians. SI-BAE Annual
Report #44:273-379 (p. 350)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Chippewa Drug (Dermatological Aid)
Boiled roots used as an ointment for any obstinate sore.
Gilmore, Melvin R. 1933 Some Chippewa Uses of Plants. Ann Arbor. University
of Michigan Press (p. 135)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Chippewa Drug (Diuretic)
Decoction of root taken for "stoppage of urine."
Densmore, Frances 1928 Uses of Plants by the Chippewa Indians. SI-BAE Annual
Report #44:273-379 (p. 348)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Chippewa Drug (Pediatric Aid)
Decoction of root used, especially for babies, as a physic.
Densmore, Frances 1928 Uses of Plants by the Chippewa Indians. SI-BAE Annual
Report #44:273-379 (p. 344)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Creek Drug (Analgesic)
Plant used by women with urinary trouble or pain in small of back.
Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek
Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (p. 661)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Creek Drug (Gynecological Aid)
Plant used by women with urinary trouble or pain in small of back.
Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek
Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (p. 661)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Creek Drug (Orthopedic Aid)
Plant used by women with urinary trouble or pain in small of back.
Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek
Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (p. 661)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Creek Drug (Urinary Aid)
Plant used by women with urinary trouble.
Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek
Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (p. 661)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Delaware Drug (Dermatological Aid)
Poultice or salve of roots used for skin eruptions.
Tantaquidgeon, Gladys 1972 Folk Medicine of the Delaware and Related
Algonkian Indians. Harrisburg. Pennsylvania Historical Commission Anthropological
Papers #3 (p. 37)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Delaware Drug (Liver Aid)
Infusion of roots used to clear up liver spots.
Tantaquidgeon, Gladys 1972 Folk Medicine of the Delaware and Related
Algonkian Indians. Harrisburg. Pennsylvania Historical Commission Anthropological
Papers #3 (p. 37)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Delaware, Ontario Drug (Tuberculosis Remedy)
Root taken for consumption.
Tantaquidgeon, Gladys 1942 A Study of Delaware Indian Medicine Practice and
Folk Beliefs. Harrisburg. Pennsylvania Historical Commission (p. 66, 82)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Abortifacient)
Decoction of roots taken by young girls who catch cold and don't menstruate.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Abortifacient)
Infusion of leaves and stems taken as a regulator by women.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Blood Medicine)
Infusion of root bark with another plant and wine taken for anemia.
Rousseau, Jacques 1945 Le Folklore Botanique De Caughnawaga. Contributions
de l'Institut botanique l'Universite de Montreal 55:7-72 (p. 54)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Blood Medicine)
Compound decoction of plants taken to make blood or for watery blood.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Cold Remedy)
Decoction of roots taken by young girls who catch cold and don't menstruate.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Diuretic)
Infusion of leaves and stems taken as a diuretic.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Febrifuge)
Infusion of leaves and stems taken for fever and soreness from pregnancy.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Gynecological Aid)
Infusion of leaves and stems taken for fever and soreness from pregnancy.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Kidney Aid)
Compound decoction of roots and bark taken for dropsy or watery blood.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/savanna/plants/am_bittersweet.htm_
(http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/savanna/plants/am_bittersweet.htm)
American Bittersweet
Celastrus scandens
Bittersweet family (Celastraceae)
Description: This native perennial plant is a woody vine up to 30' long that
branches occasionally. It often climbs fences and adjacent vegetation by its
twining stems, otherwise it sprawls across the ground. Young stems are green
and hairless, but they eventually become brown and woody. The alternate
leaves are up to 4" long and 2" across (excluding their petioles, which are up to
1" long). They are ovate, finely serrated, and hairless; each leaf tapers
gradually to a point at its tip.
Occasionally, short side branches are produced that individually terminate
in a panicle of flowers up to 6" long. Each flower is about ΒΌ" across,
consisting of 5 light green petals, 5 green sepals, 5 stamens with yellow anthers,
and a slender style. The petals are longer than the sepals, and spread outward
from the center of the flower. Each petal has a margin that is often jagged
or undulate, rather than smooth. The blooming period occurs from late spring
to early summer and lasts about 2 weeks. Each flower is replaced by a seed
capsule about 1/3" in length. Upon ripening, the exterior of this capsule
becomes orange and splits open into 3 parts, revealing a red aril that covers the
seeds (an aril is the fleshy covering that resembles a berry). Each of these
capsules contains several large seeds. The root system consists of a woody
taproot. This vine spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: This woody vine adapts to a wide range of conditions, including
full sun to light shade and moist to dry soil that can contain rich loam,
sand, or rocky material. It is usually found in partially shaded conditions.
Range & Habitat: American Bittersweet occurs occasionally in most counties
of Illinois. It is less common than formerly because of overcollection of the
fruiting branches, which were used for decorative purposes during the
holidays. Habitats include rocky upland woodlands, sandy woodlands, typical savannas
and sandy savannas, thickets, partially shaded banks along rivers, woodland
edges along roadsides, limestone glades, fence rows, and sand dunes along
Lake Michigan that are beginning to revegetate. Disturbance from fire and other
causes are beneficial in wooded areas if they reduce dense shade from the
overhead canopy.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract Halictid, Plasterer, Andrenid, and
Mason bees, which suck nectar and collect pollen. Other occasional visitors
of the flowers include ants and wasps (which suck nectar), and beetles (which
probably feed on pollen). The caterpillars of the moth Pleuroprucha insularia
(Common Tan Wave) feed on the foliage. Upland gamebirds that eat the seeds
or buds include the Ruffed Grouse, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite, and Wild
Turkey. Fox Squirrels and some songbirds eat the seeds to a limited extent
(including the Robin and Eastern Bluebird). The foliage and stems are an
attractive source of food to various mammalian herbivores, including the Cottontail
Rabbit, White-Tailed Deer, and cattle.
Photographic Location: An oak savanna at the Prospect Cemetery Prairie in
Ford County, Illinois.
Comments: The most distinctive characteristic of this woody vine are the
orange-red seed capsules; they are quite decorative and attractive. The flowers,
as revealed in the photograph above, are not very showy because of their
green color. Another species in this genus, Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental
Bittersweet), is less often encountered in Illinois. It was introduced from East
Asia as an ornamental vine and has naturalized in a few wooded areas of the
state. Because Oriental Bittersweet is a robust woody vine up to 60' long,
there is some concern that it may become an invasive species. This has already
occurred in some of the NE states. American Bittersweet differs from Oriental
Bittersweet by the shape of its leaves, margins of its flower petals, and
type of inflorescence. Specifically, American Bittersweet has ovate leaves with
gradually tapering tips, flower petals with undulate or jagged margins, and
short side branches with terminal panicles of flowers. Oriental Bittersweet,
on the other hand, has ovate-orbicular leaves with short broad tips, flower
petals with smooth margins, and non-terminal panicles of flowers that develop
from the axils of the alternate leaves. Furthermore, the flower petals of
Oriental Bittersweet are usually more narrow than those of American Bittersweet.
Posted by: "Shirl4116@aol.com" Shirl4116@aol.com shirl4116
Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:06 pm (PST)
_http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Celastrus+scandens_
(http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Celastrus+scandens)
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Cherokee Drug (Analgesic)
Strong compound infusion used for pain of childbirth.
Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses --
A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 25)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Cherokee Drug (Antirheumatic (External))
Thorny branch used to scratch rheumatism.
Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses --
A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 25)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Cherokee Drug (Cough Medicine)
Root chewed for cough.
Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses --
A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 25)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Cherokee Drug (Dermatological Aid)
Decoction of highly astringent leaves taken for bowel complaint.
Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses --
A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 25)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Cherokee Drug (Dermatological Aid)
Used as wash for "foul ulcers."
Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses --
A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 25)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Cherokee Drug (Gastrointestinal Aid)
Infusion of bark used to settle stomach and decoction given for bowel
complaint.
Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses --
A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 25)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Cherokee Drug (Gynecological Aid)
Strong infusion combined with red raspberry leaves and used for childbirth
pains.
Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses --
A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 25)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Chippewa Drug (Cancer Treatment)
Boiled roots used as an ointment for cancer.
Gilmore, Melvin R. 1933 Some Chippewa Uses of Plants. Ann Arbor. University
of Michigan Press (p. 135)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Chippewa Drug (Cathartic)
Decoction of root used, especially for babies, as a physic.
Densmore, Frances 1928 Uses of Plants by the Chippewa Indians. SI-BAE Annual
Report #44:273-379 (p. 344)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Chippewa Drug (Dermatological Aid)
Decoction of stalk applied to skin "eruptions."
Densmore, Frances 1928 Uses of Plants by the Chippewa Indians. SI-BAE Annual
Report #44:273-379 (p. 350)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Chippewa Drug (Dermatological Aid)
Boiled roots used as an ointment for any obstinate sore.
Gilmore, Melvin R. 1933 Some Chippewa Uses of Plants. Ann Arbor. University
of Michigan Press (p. 135)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Chippewa Drug (Diuretic)
Decoction of root taken for "stoppage of urine."
Densmore, Frances 1928 Uses of Plants by the Chippewa Indians. SI-BAE Annual
Report #44:273-379 (p. 348)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Chippewa Drug (Pediatric Aid)
Decoction of root used, especially for babies, as a physic.
Densmore, Frances 1928 Uses of Plants by the Chippewa Indians. SI-BAE Annual
Report #44:273-379 (p. 344)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Creek Drug (Analgesic)
Plant used by women with urinary trouble or pain in small of back.
Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek
Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (p. 661)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Creek Drug (Gynecological Aid)
Plant used by women with urinary trouble or pain in small of back.
Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek
Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (p. 661)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Creek Drug (Orthopedic Aid)
Plant used by women with urinary trouble or pain in small of back.
Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek
Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (p. 661)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Creek Drug (Urinary Aid)
Plant used by women with urinary trouble.
Swanton, John R 1928 Religious Beliefs and Medical Practices of the Creek
Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #42:473-672 (p. 661)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Delaware Drug (Dermatological Aid)
Poultice or salve of roots used for skin eruptions.
Tantaquidgeon, Gladys 1972 Folk Medicine of the Delaware and Related
Algonkian Indians. Harrisburg. Pennsylvania Historical Commission Anthropological
Papers #3 (p. 37)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Delaware Drug (Liver Aid)
Infusion of roots used to clear up liver spots.
Tantaquidgeon, Gladys 1972 Folk Medicine of the Delaware and Related
Algonkian Indians. Harrisburg. Pennsylvania Historical Commission Anthropological
Papers #3 (p. 37)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Delaware, Ontario Drug (Tuberculosis Remedy)
Root taken for consumption.
Tantaquidgeon, Gladys 1942 A Study of Delaware Indian Medicine Practice and
Folk Beliefs. Harrisburg. Pennsylvania Historical Commission (p. 66, 82)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Abortifacient)
Decoction of roots taken by young girls who catch cold and don't menstruate.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Abortifacient)
Infusion of leaves and stems taken as a regulator by women.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Blood Medicine)
Infusion of root bark with another plant and wine taken for anemia.
Rousseau, Jacques 1945 Le Folklore Botanique De Caughnawaga. Contributions
de l'Institut botanique l'Universite de Montreal 55:7-72 (p. 54)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Blood Medicine)
Compound decoction of plants taken to make blood or for watery blood.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Cold Remedy)
Decoction of roots taken by young girls who catch cold and don't menstruate.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Diuretic)
Infusion of leaves and stems taken as a diuretic.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Febrifuge)
Infusion of leaves and stems taken for fever and soreness from pregnancy.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Gynecological Aid)
Infusion of leaves and stems taken for fever and soreness from pregnancy.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_Celastrus scandens L._ (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESC)
American Bittersweet; Celastraceae
Iroquois Drug (Kidney Aid)
Compound decoction of roots and bark taken for dropsy or watery blood.
Herrick, James William 1977 Iroquois Medical Botany. State University of New
York, Albany, PhD Thesis (p. 376)
____________________________________
_http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/savanna/plants/am_bittersweet.htm_
(http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/savanna/plants/am_bittersweet.htm)
American Bittersweet
Celastrus scandens
Bittersweet family (Celastraceae)
Description: This native perennial plant is a woody vine up to 30' long that
branches occasionally. It often climbs fences and adjacent vegetation by its
twining stems, otherwise it sprawls across the ground. Young stems are green
and hairless, but they eventually become brown and woody. The alternate
leaves are up to 4" long and 2" across (excluding their petioles, which are up to
1" long). They are ovate, finely serrated, and hairless; each leaf tapers
gradually to a point at its tip.
Occasionally, short side branches are produced that individually terminate
in a panicle of flowers up to 6" long. Each flower is about ΒΌ" across,
consisting of 5 light green petals, 5 green sepals, 5 stamens with yellow anthers,
and a slender style. The petals are longer than the sepals, and spread outward
from the center of the flower. Each petal has a margin that is often jagged
or undulate, rather than smooth. The blooming period occurs from late spring
to early summer and lasts about 2 weeks. Each flower is replaced by a seed
capsule about 1/3" in length. Upon ripening, the exterior of this capsule
becomes orange and splits open into 3 parts, revealing a red aril that covers the
seeds (an aril is the fleshy covering that resembles a berry). Each of these
capsules contains several large seeds. The root system consists of a woody
taproot. This vine spreads by reseeding itself.
Cultivation: This woody vine adapts to a wide range of conditions, including
full sun to light shade and moist to dry soil that can contain rich loam,
sand, or rocky material. It is usually found in partially shaded conditions.
Range & Habitat: American Bittersweet occurs occasionally in most counties
of Illinois. It is less common than formerly because of overcollection of the
fruiting branches, which were used for decorative purposes during the
holidays. Habitats include rocky upland woodlands, sandy woodlands, typical savannas
and sandy savannas, thickets, partially shaded banks along rivers, woodland
edges along roadsides, limestone glades, fence rows, and sand dunes along
Lake Michigan that are beginning to revegetate. Disturbance from fire and other
causes are beneficial in wooded areas if they reduce dense shade from the
overhead canopy.
Faunal Associations: The flowers attract Halictid, Plasterer, Andrenid, and
Mason bees, which suck nectar and collect pollen. Other occasional visitors
of the flowers include ants and wasps (which suck nectar), and beetles (which
probably feed on pollen). The caterpillars of the moth Pleuroprucha insularia
(Common Tan Wave) feed on the foliage. Upland gamebirds that eat the seeds
or buds include the Ruffed Grouse, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite, and Wild
Turkey. Fox Squirrels and some songbirds eat the seeds to a limited extent
(including the Robin and Eastern Bluebird). The foliage and stems are an
attractive source of food to various mammalian herbivores, including the Cottontail
Rabbit, White-Tailed Deer, and cattle.
Photographic Location: An oak savanna at the Prospect Cemetery Prairie in
Ford County, Illinois.
Comments: The most distinctive characteristic of this woody vine are the
orange-red seed capsules; they are quite decorative and attractive. The flowers,
as revealed in the photograph above, are not very showy because of their
green color. Another species in this genus, Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental
Bittersweet), is less often encountered in Illinois. It was introduced from East
Asia as an ornamental vine and has naturalized in a few wooded areas of the
state. Because Oriental Bittersweet is a robust woody vine up to 60' long,
there is some concern that it may become an invasive species. This has already
occurred in some of the NE states. American Bittersweet differs from Oriental
Bittersweet by the shape of its leaves, margins of its flower petals, and
type of inflorescence. Specifically, American Bittersweet has ovate leaves with
gradually tapering tips, flower petals with undulate or jagged margins, and
short side branches with terminal panicles of flowers. Oriental Bittersweet,
on the other hand, has ovate-orbicular leaves with short broad tips, flower
petals with smooth margins, and non-terminal panicles of flowers that develop
from the axils of the alternate leaves. Furthermore, the flower petals of
Oriental Bittersweet are usually more narrow than those of American Bittersweet.