Oriental Bittersweet

Oriental Bittersweet ( Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb.) was introduced in the 1860s as an ornamental and for erosion control. It grows as a vine that girdles and smothers plants and uproots trees due to its weight

Resources

Bugwood Wiki: compiled by  Glenn D. Dreyer, Global Invasive Species Team, The Nature Conservancy. Includes general description, natural history, management/monitoring, links to research, resources and a bibliography. Bugwood is a project developed by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia.

USDA Plants Database provides extensive information on identification, distribution and occurrence;  habitat types and plant communities throughout the US; regenerative processes; succession habitats; fire ecology, and management considerations.

US Forest Service "Weed of the Week" profile of Oriental Bittersweet gives description, habitat, distribution, ecological impacts and controls.

Last updated April 19, 2025