Bittersweet
Bittersweet causes major damage to native plants by girdling. Mechanical damage of trees and other plants is also caused by additional weight to the branches.
Common Name: Bittersweet
Scientific Name: Celastrus orbiculatus
Native Range: Asia
Background
Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is a perennial, deciduous vine that can grow to 60 feet. Stems have dark brown, striated bark. Elliptic to ovate leaves are alternate and spiral evenly around the stem. Axillary flowers bloom in May to early June yielding bright, reddish-orange fruit in the fall. Invasive Bittersweet can be confused with American bittersweet, which has a terminal inflorescence and is native.
Habitat
Bittersweet grows most profusely in the sun but can tolerate dense shade. It grows in disturbed woodlands, fields, and roadsides.
NYS Distribution Map
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Identification
Look for a large vine with brown, striated bark and a climbing growth habit. The oval-shaped leaves alternate along the stem and have toothed edges. The round, reddish-orange fruit is present in late summer.
Impact
Bittersweet causes major damage to native plants by girdling. Mechanical damage of trees and other plants is also caused by additional weight to the branches.
Prevention and Control
Where practical, individual vines should be pulled up by the roots and removed from the area by hand. Vines can also be cut by hand and cut stems can be selectively spot-treated with herbicides.
Native Lookalikes
Can be confused with American Bittersweet
