Oriental Bittersweet
Celastrus orbiculatus
Embedded Files
"Celastrus orbiculatus" by wallygrom is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
About
About
Celastrus orbiculatus, or Oriental Bittersweet, is a deciduous vine from East Asia. A single Oriental Bittersweet can grow up to 60 feet long and span 10 inches in diameter. This species' aggressive growth allows it to smother out native species using its dense foliage. Despite its dangerousness, Oriental Bittersweet is still commonly sold as a decorative plant.
"Celastrus orbiculatus berries" by wallygrom is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
"Celastrus orbiculatus. Stems" by أبو فريد is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.
"Celastrus orbiculatus" by wallygrom is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Identifying Features
Round leaves with toothed edges that are 3 to 4 inches in length and alternately arranged on the stem
Yellow-green flowers bloom in late spring
Each less than 1/2 an inch in length
Grow in clusters of 2 or 3
Bright yellow fruits with fleshy red interior
"Celastrus orbiculatus, 2015-10-17, North Park, 01" by Dr. Boli is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Ecosystem Impacts
Ecosystem Impacts
Additional weight can cause shrubs and trees to be uprooted or toppled
Twining stems can quickly smother shrubs and tree limbs
Bright red fruit attracts birds and other mammals, who help spread the plant when pooping out the seeds
Removal Techniques
Removal Techniques
Pull out smaller plants, including the root system
Cut larger vines to deplete the root system and prevent resprouting
Use the "window-cut" method, cutting the vine at the ground and eye level, facilitating regrowth
Avoid removing the cut section of the vine, as it can damage the host plant
Cutting will have to be done multiple times over several growing seasons
Cut plants and apply herbicides to regrowth
Use a mixture of glyphosate and water-based formulations of triclopyr with a surfactant added
Native Alternatives
Native Alternatives
"Trumpet Honeysuckle 'John clayton'" by Drew Avery is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Twining vine with reddish flowers
"File:Isabella grapevine - Vitis labrusca 03.jpg" by Zeynel Cebeci is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Fox Grape
Climbing grape vine
"Virginia creeper" by Isaszas is marked with CC0 1.0.
Virginia Creeper
Small greenish berries which mature into purplish-black berries in the fall
"MN Virgin's Bower 1" by vastateparksstaff is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Virgin's Bower
Blooms white flowers from July to September
References
References
"Invasive Plants in Your Backyard!" by the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District
Identifying Features
Ecosystem Impacts
Removal Techniques
Native alternatives
"Oriental Bittersweet" on PennState Extension
About
Identification
Removal Techniques
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