GLEBE TREES AND SHRUBS


Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)

Photos taken May 22, 2008 on traffic island, Queen Elizabeth Drive between Bank St and Bronson at about the highest point, near the Greek embassy. I am not certain about this identification, but think it is probably right. Seen both as a mass of vegetation without competition, and as a tightly-gripping vine around other plants. Toothed, alternate leaves, with a sudden little apex. Fine texture, light green. Until I identified it, the only thing it resembled moderately was buckthorn.

Similar species

List of trees and shrubs with alternate, simple, untoothed leaves List of trees and shrubs with alternate, simple, toothed leaves