1. A woody vine of the genus Celastrus, especially the North American species C. scandens and the eastern Asian species C. orbiculata, having small, round, yellow-orange fruits that open at maturity to expose red seeds. Also called staff tree. 2. See bittersweet nightshade. 3. A dark to deep reddish orange.
ADJECTIVE:
1. Bitter and sweet at the same time: bittersweet chocolate.2. Producing or expressing a mixture of pain and pleasure: a movie with a bittersweet ending.3. Dark to deep reddish-orange.
ETYMOLOGY:
After its roots, which are said to taste bitter, then sweet when chewed.
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