Celastrus orbiculatus
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- sel-ASS-trus or-bik-yoo-LAY-tus
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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This plant is problematic and alternatives should be considered. Please see the suggestions in the left-hand column.
Asian bittersweet, an invasive species in North Carolina, is a woody, deciduous, twining vine that can rapidly reach 30 to 60 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide. It is in the bittersweet family (Celastraceae) and was introduced from Southeast Asia around 1860 as an ornamental vine. The species epithet is Latin for “orbicular” and refers to the shape of the nectary in the flower.
Asian bittersweet is found primarily along forest edges, roadsides and meadows in full sun to partial shade and can be difficult to manage. Its seeds are spread by birds and mammals. Cutting or pulling the vine alone does not work because cutting stimulates it to re-sprout ten-fold, and any broken-off piece of root will re-grow. In the home landscape, cut the vines back to the ground and immediately treat the cut stem with herbicide.
This species might be confused with the native climbing bittersweet (Celastrus scandens), but the native species has leaves that taper to a point at the tip. The tips of the leaves of Asian bittersweet are rounded. The invasive species will readily hybridize with our native bittersweet, endangering the genetic integrity of this plant.
This plant should not be used in the landscape. Please consider a less problematic plant; suggestions appear in the left sidebar.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves are generally round and broad (not pointed at the tip).
- Flowers are not showy, found in small clusters in the leaf axils with green narrow petals.
- Fruits are clusters of red capsules with yellow casing.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: It is listed as an invasive species by the NC State Weed Specialist, North Carolina Forest Service, the NC Invasive Plant Council and the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. It is a Class C noxious weed in North Carolina.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Diana'
- 'Diana'
- 'Diana'
- Tags:














- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Diana'
- 'Diana'
- 'Diana'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Celastrus
- Species:
- orbiculatus
- Family:
- Celastraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Russian Far East, China, Korea, Central & S. Japan
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds readily eat and disperse seeds.
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Vine
- Weed
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Clusters of small capsules start out green but turn yellow and split to reveal a scarlet, fleshy, berry-like fruit that has three sections each with 2 white seeds, mature between August and January.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Diecious - male and female flowers on separate plants. Flowers are green with 5 petals and not showy.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Simple, alternate 2"-5" long and 1 1/2"-3" wide. Round to oval and glossy with round or tapered tips and rounded toothed margins. The veins on the undersides may have sparse hairs and the petiole is 3/4" long. Olive green in spring and summer, light yellow fall foliage.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Lenticels
- Bark Description:
- Red-brown to gray bark with white lenticles. As the vine matures the bark gets more rough.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Brown, gray
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Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Weedy