Climbing Bittersweet

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

0

Native Status

✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

Local

CEC Eco-Regions

5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians

Rarity Notes

Secure in Ontario (S5) but Vulnerable in Quebec (S3), reflecting the species' position near the northeastern edge of its range. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. In New England, ranked S1 in Rhode Island and S3 in Massachusetts. Overcollection of ornamental fruiting branches has historically reduced populations.

S22 S-ranks; S26 not SARA listed; S61 New England conservation status; S10 overcollection

Rarity Ranks

QC S3 – Vulnerable, ON S5 – Secure

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

A twining woody vine of forest edges, thickets, rocky hillsides, stream banks, and fence rows. In the Ottawa-Gatineau region it inhabits the ecotone between deciduous forest and open ground, often climbing trees or sprawling across shrub layers on well-drained soils. Common on both sides of the Ottawa River; specimens from Gatineau Park, Aylmer, and Wakefield confirm its presence on the Quebec side.

S7 habitats; S10 range and habitat; S48 specimen localities; S63 Common

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fire Retardant, Fortress/Barrier

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fire Retardant: S73 [MEDIUM]: S11 Fire Tolerance = High (not definitional)] | Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)]

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.

Click here for more info →

Category

Analgesic, Antirheumatic, Antitumor, Cathartic, Dermatological Aid, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emetic, Febrifuge, Gynecological Aid

S28 Moerman categories; S29 folk remedy categories

Notes

Extensively used by Cherokee, Chippewa, Iroquois, Creek, and Delaware peoples. Root chewed for cough; bark infusion settled the stomach; compound infusion with raspberry leaf tea reduced childbirth pain. Poultice of boiled root applied to obstinate sores and skin eruptions. Extracts of bark reported to be cardioactive. Iroquois used root bark infusion for anemia. Plants in this genus contain compounds of interest for antitumour activity.

S28 44 Moerman uses; S29 medicinal summary

Edibility & Foraging

ℹ

Never ingest a plant unless you have 100% certainty of its identity and have consulted multiple reputable sources. The information provided in the Localeaf Plant Database is compiled from secondary sources for educational and historical purposes only.

Click here for more info →

✅ Edible   

Foraging Notes

Inner bark and twigs are edible after boiling; the thickened bark is described as sweet and palatable when cooked. This was a starvation food only used when other foods were in short supply. Caution is advised as there are suggestions of toxicity in other plant parts, particularly the fruit.

S29 bark/twig edibility; S28 Moerman Food=3 uses

Toxicity

⚠️ Moderate Toxicity

USDA lists toxicity as None and Cornell does not list this species. However, PFAF reports the fruit as poisonous and all parts as potentially toxic, with low toxicity if eaten; symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of consciousness. The discrepancy may reflect dosage-dependent effects. Exercise caution with fruit consumption.

S11 Toxicity=None; S38 not listed; S29 fruit poisonous; S4 low toxicity warning

Seed Source

• Akène