climbing bittersweet n 1: twining shrub of North America having yellow capsules enclosing scarlet seeds [syn: {bittersweet}, {American bittersweet}, {climbing bittersweet}, {false bittersweet}, {staff vine}, {waxwork}, {shrubby bittersweet}, {Celastrus scandens}]
Celastrus \Celastrus\ n. the type genus of the {Celastraceae}, comprising the plants called {climbing bittersweet}; bittersweet and shrubby bittersweet; they are woody vines and shrubs native chiefly to Asia and Australia, bearing yellow to orange capsules which open to expose red-coated seeds. See also {bittersweet[3b]}. Syn: genus {Celastrus}. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]