STAFF TREE FAMILY CELASTRACEAE 
CLIMBING BITTERSWEET. WAXWORK 
Celastrus scandens L. 
The Climbing Bittersweet is called by various names in 
different places, such as Shrubby or False Bittersweet, Staff 
Tree, Staff Vine and Fever Twig. It occurs throughout the 
eastern half of the United 
States except in the extreme 
south, and in Canada. It can 
grow in the open or in shade 
and in dry or moist soil, but 
does best in rich moist soil in 
shady situations. In Illinois it 
is often found along fence 
rows. 
This is a twining woody 
vine which may climb 30 feet 
or more. It is easily propa- 
gated by seeds or by root cut- 
tings and is frequently used 
for trellis work or as a cover 
for fences. It grows rather 
rapidly and will stand a great 
) deal of pruning without per- 
manent injury, but the fruits 
have become so popular for 
winter bouquets that in some 
places the plant is threatened 
with extermination and should 
be protected. 
The small greenish yellow 
flowers, mostly dioecious, ap- 
pear in May or June. The 
calyx is 5-lobed and there are 5 round-toothed petals much longer 
than the calyx lobes. In the staminate flower the petals and 5 
stamens are inserted on a disk that fills the bottom of the calyx. 
In the pistillate flower the pistil has 3 stigmas and a 3-celled 
ovary. The fruit, which matures in autumn, is orange outside 
but breaks open by 3 valves to expose a crimson-red pulp which 
surrounds the seeds, usually 6. 
~ 
188 
