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Celastrus orbiculatus

Phonetic Spelling
sel-ASS-trus or-bik-yoo-LAY-tus
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

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:
  • 'Diana'
'Diana'
Tags:
#deciduous#invasive#high maintenance#showy fruits#fast growing#aggressive#woody vine#thickets#Noxious Weed (state list)#deciduous vine#twining vine#weedy
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Diana'
'Diana'
Tags:
#deciduous#invasive#high maintenance#showy fruits#fast growing#aggressive#woody vine#thickets#Noxious Weed (state list)#deciduous vine#twining vine#weedy
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Vine
    Weed
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Brown, gray
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Invasive Species
    Weedy