American Bittersweet Pollen Color, Bloom Season and Bee Forage

Visual guideAmerican Bittersweet pollen

Photo: Gilles Ayotte · CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Facts

SeasonSpring to Summer

USDA Zone3 - 8

Plant TypeClimber

ForagePollen and nectar

Pollen ValueMedium

Nectar ValueMedium

Color FamilyOrange and amber

Scientific NameCelastrus scandens

Common NamesAmerican bittersweet, Climbing bittersweet

Native RegionsEastern and central North America

Range StatusNative to eastern and central North America.

Color ConfidenceModerate

Color MethodA beekeeper plant-forage reference describes Celastrus scandens pollen as yellow; the digital swatch is approximate.

Reviewed2026-10-11

Quick Answer

American Bittersweet pollen is shown in this guide as an orange and amber tone. It is listed as climber, associated with spring to summer bloom timing, USDA zone 3 - 8, and pollen and nectar forage value.

Pollen Color Notes

The visual color shown for American Bittersweet is grouped broadly with orange and amber pollen tones. It is intended for comparison and identification support, not as a laboratory measurement.

Pollen color is highly variable. Lighting, pollen age, moisture, collection method, cultivar, and local growing conditions can all change how pollen appears. Use this as general visual guidance, not a scientific color standard or guaranteed field match.

Bloom, Zone, and Forage Context

American Bittersweet is listed for spring to summer. The record lists USDA zone 3 - 8; hardiness zones are planning context, not a precise flowering calendar. Approximate bloom months in the supplemental notes: May, June.

Its forage type is pollen and nectar, with pollen value marked as medium and nectar value marked as medium. Male flowers provide pollen and both flower sexes may support visiting insects; male and female flowers are usually borne on separate plants.

Identification Notes

American bittersweet is a woody twining vine with small greenish flowers followed by orange capsules that split to expose red fruit; it should not be confused with invasive Oriental bittersweet.

Flower color note: Greenish yellow. Flower color and pollen color may differ.

Related by Similar Color

Virginia Sweetspire - Orange and amber Hairy Willowherb - Orange and amber Buttonbush - Orange and amber Oakleaf Hydrangea - Orange and amber Summersweet - Orange and amber Golden Alexanders - Orange and amber

Related by Season

Allium - Spring to Summer Almond - Spring to Summer Alsike Clover - Spring to Summer American Persimmon - Spring to Summer Black Gum - Spring to Summer Blackhaw Viburnum - Spring to Summer

Related by Plant Type

Clematis - Climber Grape - Climber Ivy - Climber Poison Ivy - Climber Traveller's Joy - Climber Trumpet Creeper - Climber

Related by USDA Zone

Adam's Needle - Zone 4 - 10 Alder - Zone 2 - 7 Allium - Zone 3 - 9 Almond - Zone 4 - 8 Alsike Clover - Zone 3 - 8 American Basswood - Zone 3 - 8

Related by Bee Forage

Adam's Needle - Pollen and nectar Alfalfa - Pollen and nectar Allium - Pollen and nectar Almond - Pollen and nectar Alsike Clover - Pollen and nectar American Basswood - Pollen and nectar

Sources

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
USDA hardiness zone context USDA PLANTS Database
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
scientific name, common name, distribution context, plant classification Garden Plants for Honey Bees
Central Coast Beekeepers Association of Oregon / reviewed 2026-10-11
pollen color category, bloom month, pollen value, nectar value Selecting Plants for Pollinators regional guides
Pollinator Partnership / reviewed 2026-10-11
North American regional plant selection, native range context, bloom timing, pollinator value Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Foundation contributors / reviewed 2026-07-12
plant image, image credit link