Oriental Bittersweet

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Oriental Bittersweet
Celastrus orbiculatus
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Origin

• The Oriental Bittersweet originated in Japan and
  was introduced to the United States in the 1860s.

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Description

• The bittersweet is a deciduous, woody, vine.
• The plant can grow up to a grand total of 60ft
  and the stems can grow to 4in in diameter.

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Description Continued

• The leaves are glossy and rounded
• The flowers are a inconspicuous greenish-yellow
  color
• The fruits are in groups of 3 or 4 and are a
  bright red color

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Reproduction

• The bittersweet relies on seed transportation by
  animals to reproduce.
• Humans also play a part in reproduction by using
  the plant for wreaths and ornamental arrangements.

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The Invader

• The bittersweet is a serious threat to plants due
  to its high reproductive rate and long range
  dispersal.
• It infests forests edges, open woodlands,
  hedgerows, fields, salt marsh edges, and coastal
  areas.
• It is often found in more sunny areas, but it has
  a shade tolerance that allows it go grow in the
  forests.
• It grows over other vegetation completely
  covering and killing other plants.
• - by preventing photosynthesis and through
  uprooting using excessive weight

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The Look Alike

• The native American bittersweet (Celastrus
  scandens) looks very similar to the the Oriental
  bittersweet, except it produces berries and
  flowers at the end of the stems.
• The two cannot be distinguished reliably without
  the flowers or fruits
• The American bittersweet is on the threatened
  list because it is not an aggressive plant unlike
  the Oriental bittersweet

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Pictures of the flowers and seeds of both plants
Oriental bittersweet
American bittersweet
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Control Ideas

• High growing vines can be cut.
• Fruiting plants should be removed
• Small plants can be pulled out by hand
• Herbicides can be used
• Alternative plants can be used like
• - American bittersweet
• - Trumpet-creeper
• - Dutchmens pipe