Which one is winterberry?
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) and Asian bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) grow throughout Minute Man National Historical Park. Both retain their bright red fruits in winter, providing a food source for birds and other wildlife. However, winterberry is a native shrub that grows near wetlands, while bittersweet is an invasive vine that often wraps itself around other plants. Bittersweet also has a distinctive yellow sheath enclosing each red fruit, which dries and splits open when ripe.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this article which explains the invasive nature of bittersweet and why birds prefer winterberry. Are you interested in helping us remove bittersweet and other invasive plants? Contact Kiah Walker at [email protected].
Answer: Winterberry is on the left and bittersweet is on the right.
Written by Kiah Walker, Biologist at Minute Man National Historical Park.