Oriental Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling

sel-ASS-trus or-bik-yoo-LAY-tus

This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina

Description

Plants are either male or female

Native to Eastern Asia; listed as an invasive species by the NC State Weed Specialist, North Carolina Forest Service, USDA National Invasive Species Information Center; the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States, The National Park Service

Found primarily along forest edges, roadsides, and meadows in full sun. Spreads by prolific vine growth and seeds that are spread by birds, mammals, and people. It was introduced from Southeast Asia around 1860 as an ornamental vine.

Bittersweet can be difficult to control. Cutting or pulling alone does not work because cutting stimulates the vine to re-sprout ten-fold and any broken-off piece of root will re-grow. In the home landscape, it is probably best to cut the vines back to the ground and immediately treat the cut stem with herbicide. Follow the directions on the label.

Cultivars / Varieties:

'Diana'

Tags:

#deciduous #invasive #weedy

Celastrus orbiculatus — Leaf Leonora Enking CC-BY-SA 2.0

Cultivars / Varieties:

'Diana'

Tags:

#deciduous #invasive #weedy

Attributes:
Genus:

Celastrus

Species:

orbiculatus

Family:

Celastraceae

Life Cycle:

Woody

Country Or Region Of Origin:

Russian Far East, China, Korea, Central & S. Japan

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:

Vine

Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Habit/Form:

Climbing

Spreading

Growth Rate:

Rapid

Texture:

Medium

Cultural Conditions:
Light:

Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:

4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Fruit:
Fruit Color:

Red/Burgundy

Display/Harvest Time:

Fall

Winter

Fruit Type:

Capsule

Fruit Description:

Clusters of small capsules with 3 scarlet, fleshy, sections each with 2 white seeds, mature between August and January.

Flowers:
Flower Color:

Gold/Yellow

Orange

Flower Inflorescence:

Insignificant

Flower Bloom Time:

Spring

Flower Size:

< 1 inch

Flower Description:

Diecious - male and female flowers on separate plants.

Leaves:
Leaf Characteristics:

Deciduous

Leaf Color:

Green

Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:

Gold/Yellow

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Hairs Present:

No

Leaf Description:

Deciduous, alternate, olive green in spring and summer; Light yellow fall foliage; round or tapered tips.