Celastrus scandens, commonly known as American bittersweet, is a perennial vine in the family Celastraceae. This plant is characterized by its bright orange-red berries that appear in the fall and hang like clusters from its winding stems. This popular ornamental plant is also known by several synonyms including Shrubby bittersweet, Staff-tree family, Black-eyed Susan vine, and False buckthorn. These synonyms are often used interchangeably in horticulture catalogs, gardening enthusiasts, and plant identification guides. Regardless of the name, Celastrus scandens continues to be an eye-catching addition to any garden and is often used as a natural fence or trellis.