i am in the process of determining if my area has both bittersweets. there is one plant that looks suspicious, but i am not versed in identification well enough. i will post a pic in natives forum eventually.

they sprawl through the trees here. i had also seen one on a pasture fence cut down. the woody base was the size of a small tree. i dont know which species that one was, either. apparantly the birds love the berries/seeds, which is why the oriental one has spread so much, complete with fertilizer.

other than that, i have no idea except they are gorgeous in flower and craft arrangements.

Fairy-
Check out this site. It should explain what you are wanting to know. ;-) Go to about.com, then do a search for 'bitterweet'. The first site that comes up explains the difference.
Pam

thanks!

very informative! the first time i have heard mention of blunt thorns on the oriental- now that helps! now i have to go back and investigate as many as i can get to. with the description of bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), i think that is the one i saw recently. the berries were huge, loaded, and varied in colors as stated. otherwise, most of the vines i find have a small cluster of berries at the end. the leaf description stil has me a little unsure. they look pointed on the majority of hte ones i find.

do the natives not climb trees? i thought they did.

prairie moon nursery lists seeds, but they are out of stock.

Here is a link that might be useful: article

I do know that you have to have both the male and female vines in order to produce the berries. They are pretty vigorous vines, so make sure you have plenty of room for them to vine AND sprawl. I have mine on a back fence. The roots are very shallow, and they sucker easily. However, they haven't gotten totally out of control since I have allowed them the space to grow.

Susan