Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Celastrales>Celastraceae>Celastrus orbiculatus Thunberg
| Oriental Bittersweet is an invasive and increasingly common high-climbing vine, introduced from Asia. A big problem in the Mountains of North Carolina, where it is outcompeting the native American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens). Madison Co., NC 5/11/08. |
| The flowers are small and green. Madison Co., NC 5/11/08. |
| Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009. |
| Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009. |
| Chapel Hill, NC 5/2/09. |
| The bright orange-red fruits are quite ornamental -- the reason the vine was introduced. The fruits are eaten and seeds spread by birds. Orange Co., NC 12/27/09. |
| Orange Co., NC 12/27/09. |
| The flowers and fruits of Oriental Bittersweet are in axillary cymes, while those of American Bittersweet are in terminal panicles. Chapel Hill, NC 11/13/05. |
| The alternate, deciduous leaves are nearly round, while those of American Bittersweet are narrower. Chapel Hill, NC 4/20/03. |
| Chapel Hill, NC 5/6/06. |
More information:
Exotic Pest Plants of Southeastern Forests
The Nature Conservancy
PCA Alien Plant Working Group
Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina
cwcook@duke.eduAll photographs and text ©2011 by Will Cook unless otherwise indicated.