As a gardening and landscaping expert, I can provide you with information on Oriental bittersweet and its edibility. Oriental bittersweet, also known as Celastrus orbiculatus, is a vine native to Asia that has become invasive in many parts of North America. While the fruit of Oriental bittersweet is technically edible, it is not commonly consumed by humans and is instead eaten by birds and small mammals.
The fruit of Oriental bittersweet is bittersweet in taste, hence its name. It is small and round, with a yellow outer skin and a red inner flesh. The fruit contains a few seeds, which are retained in the gut of birds for a long time after ingestion. This aids in the long-distance dispersal of the species, as the birds fly to different areas and deposit the seeds through their droppings.
While the fruit is nutritious, it is not typically eaten by humans until late in winter. This may be due to the bitter taste, as well as the fact that there are more readily available and palatable fruits during other seasons. It is worth noting that there are other edible fruits available during winter that are more widely consumed, such as citrus fruits and various berries.
In terms of personal experiences, I have come across Oriental bittersweet vines in my own gardening endeavors. Due to its invasive nature, it can quickly spread and choke out other plants in the area. As a result, it is often considered a nuisance and efforts are made to control its growth. However, I have never personally consumed the fruit of Oriental bittersweet, as it is not commonly sought after for human consumption.
While Oriental bittersweet is technically edible, it is not commonly consumed by humans. Its bittersweet taste and the availability of other more palatable fruits likely contribute to its lack of popularity as a food source. Instead, it is primarily eaten by birds and small mammals, who aid in the dispersal of the species through their digestion and subsequent droppings.
