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
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This plant is problematic and alternatives should be considered. Please see the suggestions in the left-hand column.
Oriental bittersweet is an invasive, deciduous woody vine native to eastern Asia and in the Celastraceae (bittersweet) family. Found primarily along forest edges, roadsides, and meadows in full sun, the plant 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 and quickly spread across the United States.
Oriental bittersweet can be difficult to manage. 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, cut the vines back to the ground and immediately treat the cut stem with herbicide. Follow the directions on the product label.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves are generally round and broad.
- Flowers are not showy, found in small clusters in the leaf axils with green narrow petals.
- Fruits are lusters of red capsules with yellow casing.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant should not be used in the landscape. It is listed as an invasive species by the NC State Weed Specialist, North Carolina Forest Service, USDA National Invasive Species Information Center, and the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. It is a noxious weed in other states.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Diana'
- 'Diana'
- 'Diana'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- '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:
- Vine
- 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
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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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
