Oriental Bittersweet

Celastraceae

LIFE FORM: Vine

NATIVITY: Eastern Asia

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

Alternate, simple leaves with bluntly toothed margins; can strangle trees and shrubs.

FLOWERS:

Inconspicuous greenish-white flowers bloom in spring.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Attractive, red seeds enclosed in bright yellow capsules in the fall, dispersed by birds; bright orange roots produce shoots when left in the ground.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

Can be highly destructive in forests. Prefers minimally maintained public parks and open space; woodlands that develop on abandoned open space; chain-link fence lines; unmowed highway banks and median strips with frequent salt applications; railroad tracks with ballast substrate.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Adaptable vine that can grow anywhere; highly destructive of other woody plants; food and/or habitat for wildlife; erosion control on slopes.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Attractive fruits, which are toxic, are widely used for fall holiday decorations; the bark of the root is used in traditional medicine. Introduced as an ornamental species and for soil conservation purposes. Invasive species in minimally managed habitats.