Minnesota First Detectors Oriental Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus

Minnesota First Detectors Oriental bittersweet Woody vine that climbs other vegetation such trees and structures Thrives in a wide range of habitats, light levels, and soil types Grows to 66’ in length Introduced as an ornamental

Minnesota First Detectors Reproduces by seed, rhizome, and stolon Male and female plants Fruit production on female plants Short-term seed viability Biology

Minnesota First Detectors Urtica/Flickr creative commons Wildlife vectored dispersal Seed dispersal is vectored by birds and other wildlife that eat the fruit containing seed.

Minnesota First Detectors Urtica/Flickr creative commons Human vectored dispersal

Minnesota First Detectors

Highly invasive and damaging Trees strangled, smothered and broken by vines Reduced light available for plant growth

Minnesota First Detectors

American bittersweet Celastrus scandens Native related species Occur in same habitat Oriental bittersweet outcompetes American bittersweet Hybrids? Cultivars

Minnesota First Detectors

Distinguishing bittersweets AmericanOriental Fruit capsule color

Minnesota First Detectors

Variable leaf shape = not reliable

Minnesota First Detectors Other woody vines

Minnesota First Detectors Which is Oriental bittersweet? 1. Plant 1 2. Plant 2 12

Minnesota First Detectors Control methods Foliar application Low growing plants, seedlings and re- sprouting cut stumps Cut stump and basal bark treatments Large vines

Minnesota First Detectors Oriental bittersweet distribution EDDMapS Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System. The University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. Available online at last accessed February 12, 2014.

Minnesota First Detectors OB Distribution

Minnesota First Detectors Report infestations 1. Location information 1. GPS coordinates preferred when access is permissible 2. Note location for infestations on private property without permission to access 2. Digital photographs of the vine and fruit or flowers will aid identification 3. Call “Arrest the Pest”

Minnesota First Detectors Legal status in Minnesota Prohibited Noxious Weed on Eradicate List All plant parts must be destroyed No propagation or sale is allowed Cultivars Prohibited Oriental bittersweet cultivars Diana, Hercules, Indian Mix, Indian Brave, Indian Maiden Approved American bittersweet cultivars Autumn Revolution and Sweet Tangerine ‘Swtazam’

Minnesota First Detectors Infestations in Minnesota Goal is to prevent new infestations and contain and control existing infestations. Small, manageable infestations should be controlled by landowners MnDOT and DNR have destroyed multiple small infestations and are monitoring seedbanks. Coordinated initial control of large Oriental bittersweet infestations across land ownship boundaries was recommended for funding by the Legislative Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources

Minnesota First Detectors Questions?