Fire and Ice Bittersweet Tapestry

Ice on winter bittersweet. American Bittersweet is a perennial vine native to central and eastern North America. The flower are plain and uninteresting compared to the berries that follow. As the flowers fade orange-yellow capsules appear. In late fall the capsules open to show bright red berries inside. The berries remain on the plant well into winter, adding colour to the winter landscapes. The berries last throughout the winter and easy to spot. The crimson berry-like fruits are toxic to us mammals but highly sought after by birds. Here the berries have been released leaving the orange seed pods to brighten the winter scene. Copyright: Robert Alsop images.