Oriental bittersweet is a strong competitor in its environment, and its dispersal has endangered the survival of several other species. One attribute that contributes to the success of this species is having attractively colored fruit. As a result, it is eaten by mammals and birds, which excrete the seeds to different locations.
Is Oriental bittersweet a native plant?
Oriental bittersweet is a non-native woody, perennial vine that covers and kills native plants by blocking sunlight, weighing the plants down, and girdling stems and trunks. Oriental bittersweet quickly naturalized in many areas. The vine is an aggressive invader, growing over vegetation.
Do birds eat Oriental bittersweet berries?
Oriental bittersweet produces an abundance of berries. Birds eat the berries and spread the invasive plant further through their droppings. The seeds remain in the bird's stomach for several weeks, which leads to the spreading of oriental bittersweet far away from its original location.
What happens if you don't control Oriental bittersweet?
If oriental bittersweet is not controlled, it will result in a monoculture, smothering everything else around it. Small vines can be pulled by hand. Make sure to remove the entire root because bittersweet can regrow from root segments.
Will Oriental bittersweet girdle in shade?
When thick masses of oriental bittersweet plants sprawl over shrubs and plants, the dense shade can kill the plants beneath. Oriental bittersweet information suggests that an even greater threat is girdling.
See more
Can you eat oriental bittersweet?
Poisoning: Celastrus orbiculatus is not known to be poisonous, unlike the true bittersweet Solanum dulcmara. However, the berries have been reported to cause intestinal upset and vomiting. Historical: Brought to the U.S. from Asia in the 1860s, it was used for erosion control and as an ornamental.
Is bittersweet plant edible?
Edible Uses The thickish bark is sweet and palatable after boiling[2, 161, 177]. Another report says that it is the inner bark that is used, and that it is a starvation food, only used when other foods are in short supply[257]. Some caution is advised in the use of this plant since there are suggestions of toxicity.
Is bittersweet berry edible?
Bittersweet nightshade is a vine-like plant that is found throughout the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe and Asia. It is in the same family as tomatoes and potatoes. The STEM is used to make medicine. The LEAVES and BERRIES are poisonous.
Is bittersweet poisonous to humans?
Toxicity. Although this is not the same plant as deadly nightshade or belladonna (an uncommon and extremely poisonous plant), bittersweet nightshade is somewhat poisonous and has caused loss of livestock and pet poisoning and, more rarely, sickness and even death in children who have eaten the berries.
What is the difference between American bittersweet and oriental bittersweet?
Oriental bittersweet has fruit and flowers located in the leaf axils along the length of the stem. American bittersweet, however, only has fruit and flowers in terminal clusters. There is also a difference in the color of the capsules surrounding the ripened fruit in the fall.
Is bittersweet good for anything?
American bittersweet is a plant. Its root and bark are used to make medicine. People take American bittersweet for arthritis, fluid retention, and liver disorders. Women take it for menstrual disorders.
Can I burn oriental bittersweet?
Rooted portions will remain alive and should be pulled, repeatedly cut to the ground or treated with herbicide. Cutting without herbicide treatment will require vigilance and repeated cutting because plants will resprout from the base. Prescribed burning for Oriental Bittersweet is not a viable option for control.
What happens if you eat bittersweet nightshade?
But, the LEAVES or BERRIES are UNSAFE, and are very poisonous. Symptoms of poisoning include: scratchy throat, headache, dizziness, enlarged eye pupils, trouble speaking, low body temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding in the stomach or intestines, convulsions, slowed blood circulation and breathing, and even death.
Why is oriental bittersweet bad?
It is invasive and destructive. Birds will eat its pretty seeds and disperse them. Left unchecked, Oriental Bittersweet overtakes landscapes, literally smothering trees, shrubs, and any plant in its path with twisting vines, sometimes 4 inches thick, and so heavy it uproots large trees under its weight.
What can you do with bittersweet?
Bittersweet vine has great fall color that will last a long time. Use it in wreaths, vases, or anywhere to add a touch of fall to your home decor. Every fall I look around for some bittersweet vine to use in my decor.
What is the most poisonous berry in the world?
The most commonly found poisonous berries in the mid-Atlantic region include:American Bittersweet. American bittersweet is a woody vine often used in fall wreaths and dried flower arrangements. ... Cotoneaster. ... Holly. ... Juniper. ... Pokeweed. ... Yew.
How do you dispose of oriental bittersweet?
The most effective control of oriental bittersweet is achieved using an herbicide containing triclopyr in an 8 percent solution diluted at a rate of 4 fluid ounces to 1 gallon of water sprayed on its foliage.
When do Oriental bittersweets turn yellow?
In fall the yellow skin splits to reveal a bright red center. The fruit is retained on the stem through winter. The conspicuous combination of yellow and red make Oriental bittersweet simple to identify even after leaf drop.
How does Oriental bittersweet reproduce?
Dispersal. Oriental bittersweet reproduces by seed and vegetatively by sprouting from an extensive root system. Its conspicuous fruit is spread primarily by birds and persists from late summer through winter.
When was bittersweet introduced to the US?
Oriental bittersweet ( Celastrus orbiculatus) was introduced to the United States in the 1860s from east Asia. This woody, deciduous, perennial vine has since naturalized and become an extremely aggressive and damaging invader of natural areas. Oriental bittersweet chokes out desirable native plants by smothering them with its dense foliage ...
Is bittersweet a native plant?
American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) is a similar but far less common native species that is listed as rare or vulnerable in several states. American bittersweet leaves are more football shaped than rounded. Their flowers and fruit also emerge only from the ends of the stems, rather than at each leaf axil, as with Oriental bittersweet. The fruit of American bittersweet also has a bright red covering instead of yellow. While the two species do hybridize where they co-occur, American bittersweet is rare enough that the likelihood of an individual being the nonnative invasive species is high.
Is Oriental Bittersweet invasive?
Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is an invasive, perennial, woody vine. This article displays images to assist with identification and provides recommendations for control, including a management calendar and treatment and timing table.
Is bittersweet a hybrid?
The fruit of American bittersweet also has a bright red covering instead of yellow. While the two species do hybridize where they co-occur, American bittersweet is rare enough that the likelihood of an individual being the nonnative invasive species is high. Sprout showing leaves and axial flower buds.
Is Oriental bittersweet a dioecious plant?
Oriental bittersweet is dioecious ; pollen and fruit are borne on separate male and female plants. In late spring, the female yellow-green flowers, each less than ½ inch long, grow from the leaf axils all along the stem in clusters of two or three. The male flowers are not distinct.
How to tell the difference between American bittersweet and oriental bittersweet?
Unlike oriental bittersweet, American bittersweet has smooth stems and oblong leaves. Another way to distinguish between American and oriental bittersweet is by the location of the berries: the berries of American bittersweet appear at the tips of the vines only, while those of oriental bittersweet grow along the vine.
How tall does Oriental bittersweet grow?
Oriental bittersweet is a deciduous, woody vine that can easily reach up to 100 feet. The glossy alternate leaves are round, finely toothed, and round or oval in shape with pointed tips. In May or June, small, greenish yellow, five-petaled flowers appear in the leaf axils.
Why is bittersweet so deadly?
Why Oriental Bittersweet Is So Vicious. Oriental bittersweet chokes out and kills any other vegetation in several different ways. The vines completely overgrow other plants, so they won’t get any sunlight, air, or water. The strong vines girdle so tightly around the stems of trees that they are being strangled.
How long does bittersweet seed stay in bird's stomach?
The seeds remain in the bird's stomach for several weeks, which leads to the spreading of oriental bittersweet far away from its original location. On top of it, oriental bittersweet has a very high germination rate of 95%. Oriental bittersweet also spreads by underground roots.
Where does bittersweet grow?
American bittersweet occurs naturally in the central and eastern United States except in Florida. Consider yourself lucky when a native bittersweet plant pops up in your garden.
What happens when bittersweet vines grow?
The strong vines girdle so tightly around the stems of trees that they are being strangled. As the vines grow, their sheer weight breaks or uproots the tree. Oriental bittersweet produces an abundance of berries. Birds eat the berries and spread the invasive plant further through their droppings.
Where is Oriental Bittersweet found?
In the United States it can be found as far south as Louisiana, as far north as Maine, and as far west as the Rocky Mountains.
What is the mortality rate of bittersweet?
In diverse abiotic conditions (such as varying sunlight intensity and nitrogen concentrations), Oriental bittersweet has a mortality rate of 14% in comparison to the American bittersweet, which has a mortality rate of 33% .
What are the characteristics of Celastrus orbiculatus?
The defining characteristic of the plant is its vines: they are thin, spindly, and have silver to reddish brown bark. They are generally between 1 and 4 cm (0.4 and 1.6 in) in diameter. However, if growth is not disturbed, vines can exceed 10 cm (3.9 in) and when cut, will show age rings that can exceed 20 years. When Celastrus orbiculatus grows by itself, it forms thickets; when it is near a tree the vines twist themselves around the trunk as high as 40 feet. The encircling vines have been known to strangle the host tree to death or break branches from the excess weight, which is also true of the slower-growing American species, C. scandens. The leaves are round and glossy, 2–12 cm (0.8–4.7 in) long, have toothed margins and grow in alternate patterns along the vines. Small green flowers produce distinctive red seeds which are encased in yellow pods that break open during autumn. All parts of the plant are poisonous.
How much sunlight does bittersweet need?
Oriental bittersweet can increase in biomass by 20% when exposed to 28% sunlight rather than 2%. The plant's strong response to sunlight parallels its role as an invasive species, as it can outcompete other species by fighting for and receiving more sunlight.
Where is Celastrus orbiculatus native?
Celastrus orbiculatus is a woody vine of the family Celastraceae. It is commonly called Oriental bittersweet, as well as Chinese bittersweet, Asian bittersweet, round-leaved bittersweet, and Asiatic bittersweet. It is native to China, where it is the most widely distributed Celastrus species, and to Japan and Korea.
What are the threats of bittersweet?
Hybridization occurs readily between American bittersweet females and oriental bittersweet males, though the opposite is known to occur to a lesser extent. The resulting hybrid species is fully capable of reproduction. In theory, if the oriental bittersweet invasion continues to worsen, widespread hybridization could genetically disrupt the entire American bittersweet population, possibly rendering it extinct.
Does bittersweet affect the alkalinity of soil?
One study observed that the presence of Oriental bittersweet increases the alkalinity of the surrounding soil, a characteristic of many successful invasive plant species. This alters the availability of essential nutrients and hinders the nutrient uptake ability of native plants.
How tall is Oriental bittersweet?
Oriental bittersweet is a deciduous, woody, twining vine that may reach 30 m (98.5 ft) in length and 18 cm (7 in) in diameter. It climbs by coiling around trees, shrubs and any other available support. It has a deep, extensive root system.
When do Oriental bittersweets bloom?
Male and female flowers usually occur on sepa-rate plants and sometimes male flowers are at the tip of the branch. They bloom in May and June.
How does bittersweet reproduce?
Oriental bittersweet reproduces by seed and vegetatively by spreading underground roots that form new stems. Large clones can develop from one or a few seedlings. Bittersweet also sprouts from the root crown, and even small root fragments can regenerate. Most plants bear either male or female flowers but a few will also produce perfect flowers with both male and female parts. Plants mature quickly, and both male and female plants can produce flowers at two years of age. Mature female plants produce prolific fruit, and fruit production is highest in full sun.
How tall do bittersweets grow?
Bittersweet’s stems are light or medium brown, with white pith. They often have notice-able light horizontal marks. Stems may climb up to 18 m (60 ft) high in trees. Roots are a bright orange.
How long are bittersweet leaves?
Oriental bittersweet’s leaves are alternate, glossy and finely toothed. They are often rounded but are variable in shape. They range from 5 to 13 cm (2 to 5 in) long and have pointed tips. They turn yellow in fall, and retain their leaves late in the season.
What is a green briar?
Bristly greenbriar (Smilax tamnoides) and other mem-bers of the Smilax genus have leaves with conspicuous parallel leaf veins, running the length of the leaf. They lack sharp teeth. Their fruits are dark purple and arranged in a ball. Many have thorns or bristles (at least at their bases) and attach with fine tendrils.
Can mechanical controls be used to control bittersweet?
Mechanical controls alone will not eradicate established Oriental bittersweet infestations but can effectively prevent further damage to the trees and shrubs that support its vines at least temporarily. In combination with herbicide treatment, they can provide effective control of established populations
How big do oriental bittersweet plants get?
Oriental Bittersweet Information. Oriental bittersweet plants are vines that grow up to 60 feet long and can get four inches (10 cm.) in diameter . They are fast-growing and attractive, with light green, finely toothed leaves. The round yellow fruits split to reveal red berries that birds happily devour all winter long.
How to control bittersweet?
Oriental bittersweet control involves removing or killing oriental bittersweet on your property. Pull out the vines by the roots or repeatedly cut them down, keeping an eye out for suckers. You can also treat the vine with systemic herbicides recommended by your garden store.
Why is bittersweet important to control?
Oriental bittersweet control becomes necessary because the vines also spread to new locations. Birds love the berries and disperse the seeds far and wide. The seeds remain viable for a long time and spout well in low light, so anywhere they fall, they are likely to grow.
What is the threat of bittersweet vines?
Oriental Bittersweet Control. The vines pose an ecological threat since their vigor and size threatens native vegetation at all levels, from the ground to the canopy. When thick masses of oriental bittersweet plants sprawl over shrubs and plants, the dense shade can kill the plants beneath.
Is oriental bittersweet a woody vine?
Instead, they want to know how to eradicate oriental bittersweet. This climbing woody vine, also known as round-leaved or Asian bittersweet, was once planted as an ornamental. However, it escaped cultivation and spread ...
Can bittersweet vines uproot trees?
The weight of the dense vines can even uproot a tree. One victim of oriental bittersweet plants is the native variety American bittersweet ( Celastrus scandens ). This less aggressive vine is being eliminated through competition and hybridization.
Background
Description
- Size
Single vines can reach 60 feet in length, though it will only grow as high as the vegetation it is climbing. As a perennial vine, it puts on yearly growth and can reach diameters of over 10 inches. - Leaves
Distinctly round with toothed edges, the leaves are alternately arranged along the stem and between 3 and 4 inches in length. In late summer the leaves turn vivid yellow, usually before native plants gain their fall color, making this vine easy to spot from a distance.
Look-Alikes
- American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) is a similar but far less common native species that is listed as rare or vulnerable in several states. American bittersweet leaves are more football shaped than rounded. Their flowers and fruit also emerge only from the ends of the stems, rather than at each leaf axil, as with Oriental bittersweet. The fruit of American bittersweet also has a b…
Dispersal
- Oriental bittersweet reproduces by seed and vegetatively by sprouting from an extensive root system. Its conspicuous fruit is spread primarily by birds and persists from late summer through winter. A significant vector of this vine is its continued use as a component of decorative wreaths—its seeds remain viable even after drying and can germinate ...
Site
- While Oriental bittersweet prefers full sun, it tolerates dense shade while young. Sprouts growing in shade seek out full sun by climbing nearby vegetation and forming a blanket over the forest canopy. It thrives especially well in moist areas and areas with exposed mineral soil, such as disturbed sites, but it grows in many soil conditions, including sand dunes and bogs.
Control
- Though attacking the root system is the only way to kill the vine, freeing surrounding trees and other vegetation from the weight of the aerial stems by cutting them at ground level is typically the first step in controlling the vine. When mature, one root system may support dozens of stems, many of which may be very small or wrapped around desirable trees, making them impractical t…
Treatment and Timing
- Prescriptions for controlling invasive Oriental bittersweet emphasize cutting the aerial growth to facilitate late season foliar herbicide treatments to injure the root system. Hack-and-squirt, basal bark, and stump treatments can be made anytime the weather permits. Product names reflect the current Pennsylvania state herbicide contract; additional brands with the same active ingredient…
Overview
Celastrus orbiculatus is a woody vine of the family Celastraceae. It is commonly called Oriental bittersweet, as well as Chinese bittersweet, Asian bittersweet, round-leaved bittersweet, and Asiatic bittersweet. It is native to China, where it is the most widely distributed Celastrus species, and to Japan and Korea. It was introduced into North America in 1879, and is considered to be an invasive spec…
Description
The defining characteristic of the plant is its vines: they are thin, spindly, and have silver to reddish brown bark. They are generally between 1 and 4 cm (0.4 and 1.6 in) in diameter. However, if growth is not disturbed, vines can exceed 10 cm (3.9 in) and when cut, will show age rings that can exceed 20 years. When Celastrus orbiculatus grows by itself, it forms thickets; when it is near a tree the vines twist themselves around the trunk as high as 40 feet. The encircling vines have …
Range and habitat
Due to systematic disturbances to eastern forests for wood production and recreation, Oriental bittersweet has naturalized to landscapes, roadsides, and woodlands of eastern North America. In the United States it can be found as far south as Louisiana, as far north as Maine, and as far west as the Rocky Mountains. It prefers mesic woods, where it has been known to eclipse native plants.
Cultivation
Celastrus orbiculatus is cultivated as an ornamental plant. In the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Celastrus orbiculatus as an invasive species
Oriental bittersweet is a strong competitor in its environment, and its dispersal has endangered the survival of several other species. One attribute that contributes to the success of this species is having attractively colored fruit. As a result, it is eaten by mammals and birds, which excrete the seeds to different locations.
Management
To minimize the effects of Oriental bittersweet's invasion into North American habitats, its growth and dispersal must be tightly managed. Early detection is essential for successful conservation efforts. To reduce further growth and dispersal, above-ground vegetation is cut and any foliage is sprayed with triclopyr, a common herbicide. Glyphosate is another chemical method of control. These two herbicides are usually sprayed directly on the plants in late fall to prevent other plant…
Phytochemicals
Bicelaphanol A is a neuroprotective dimeric-trinorditerpene isolated from the bark of Celastrus orbiculatus.
External links
• Species Profile - Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), National Invasive Species Information Center, United States National Agricultural Library. Lists general information and resources for Oriental Bittersweet.