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