Oriental Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus Monika Chandler, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Oriental bittersweet, Celastrus orbiculatus 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

Biology Reproduces by seed rhizome, and stolon Male and female plants Fruit production on female plants Seed dispersal is vectored by birds and other wildlife that eat the fruit containing seed. Short-term seed viability

Human vectored dispersal Urtica/Flickr creative commons

Highly invasive and damaging Vines strangle trees, reduce light available for tree growth, and added vine weight can break trees

Amercian bittersweet, Celastrus scandens Native congener Occur in same habitat Oriental bittersweet outcompetes American bittersweet Hybrids? Cultivars

Distinguishing bittersweets AmericanOriental

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 January 18, 2011.

Report infestations Location information –GPS coordinates preferred Digital photographs of the plant (whole plant, leaf, flower, and stem) will aid identification Collect a plant sample, if possible Note location for infestations on private property without permission to access Call “Arrest the Pest” (metro) or (toll free)

Contact Information Monika Chandler, MN Dept. of Agriculture