Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb.

Asian Bittersweet; Oriental Bittersweet

Vine

Perennial

Vascular

Oriental Bittersweet is an introduced deciduous woody vine in the Bittersweet family (Celastraceae). It is native to eastern Asia. It Alabama, it has been documented from the central portion of the state. Oriental Bittersweet grows in disturbed woodlands, around old home sites, on fence rows, in vacant lots, and along woodland edges. It is a woody vine up to 100 feet in length with smooth dark gray bark. Older bark is shallowly furrowed or pitted. The vines climb by twining. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, obovate to orbicular in outline, with toothed margins. The leaves turn yellowish before falling in the autumn. Flowers are produced in axillary cymes. The flowers are small, green in color, with 5 sepals and 5 petals. Flowers may be staminate (male), pistillate (female), or bisexual. The fruit is a capsule. The capsule becomes yellowish in color before splitting in 3 sections to expose the seed. The seed are completely enclosed in a red aril. All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten. Oriental Bittersweet was introduced into the United States in 1860’s as an ornamental landscape plant primarily for its attractive fruit which persist on the plant throughout the winter months. It is sometimes used in flower arrangements. Oriental Bittersweet is an aggressive invader and out competes native vegetation. It forms a mutualistic relationship with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, aiding in the uptake of nutrients and speeding the plants growth. It is listed as a Category 2 Invasive Species by the Alabama Invasive Species Council. Oriental Bittersweet is similar to our native American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens Linnaeus). American Bittersweet has flowers and fruit in terminal panicles, fruit that turn orange, and leaves that are oblong in outline. The two species form fertile hybrids.--A. Diamond

**

Not Native

**