Took a walk to dissociate from US election dread issues

Nov 4, 2024 6:18 PM

not sure what this is but as a kid in Indiana we called it “bittersweet” which is odd bcz we certainly never ate it

grapevine pulled down to save our pine tree

the moss around these gnarled roots looked pretty to me

huge leaves on the ground in the sweet little cemetery down the hill

mildly_interesting

nature

the_great_outdoors

#1 Celastrus

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

#1 American bittersweet. Good thing you never ate it - it's toxic for mammals.

2 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

#6 Sycamore, or Platanus occidentalis

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Celastrus scandens "Although poisonous when eaten by humans, the berries are highly coveted for use in flower arrangements, which has resulted in American bittersweet’s decline in population. Furthermore, non-native Oriental bittersweet has aggressively displaced and hybridized with the native plant, and American bittersweet is on endangered lists in numerous states." https://www.leavesforwildlife.com/product-page/american-bittersweet-celastrus-scandens

2 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I used to see these somewhat frequently doing hikes around western PA, but its been about 6 or 7 years since ive seen one in the wild :(

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

#1 As @plantpr0n said Celastrus, ornamental plant, but invasive and poisonous.

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Depends on the species! There is a native and Asian species both!

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

But yes, don't eat either!

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Right. If it is the Asiatic kind (as I believe from the image - that's the one I speak about: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celastrus_orbiculatus ) it's as I said. But in the american kind (Scandens), only the fruits are poisonous and it's not invasive, only harmful for trees.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0