Literature suggests that seed can remain in the birds’ stomach for weeks, allowing it to be “deposited” long distances away from the original infestation. The seeds of Oriental bittersweet will germinate in open grass lands or shady woodlands and are an attractive food to birds late in the season. Vigorous, twining growth can easily girdle large trees.
The native bittersweet produces the fruits at the ends of the vines while Oriental type produces its fruit all along the stem. The fruit of both species is made up of an orange outer skin that opens to reveal a red, fleshy fruit. Unknowingly, the decorator has just become an “accessory” to the spread of this prolific and invasive plant.Īccording to Michigan State University Extension, Oriental bittersweet is a relative to our native bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) and has several closely linked characteristics. Conjuring up comforting scenes of autumn, this red and gold fruit entices the fall decorator to jump out of the car to clip stems and transport them home. Why all the interest right now? At the close of the season when leaves of other trees have descended to their winter bliss, the intensely colored, conspicuous fruits of Oriental bittersweet climbing fences, trees and telephone poles are highly noticeable. Between the girdling growth habit and sheer weight, whole canopies of a forest can tumble down during the growing season or an ice storm. Its rate of spread is a bit like a Jack-in-the-bean-stalk fairy tale and it has been observed covering half-acre wood lots in just seven to 10 years. As the plant grows in diameter, it literally chokes or girdles other plants that it is clinging to. It can easily climb trees up to 90 feet tall. This woody vine grows rapidly and has a twining nature that clings to anything going up or down. Someone should produce a horror flick about how Oriental bittersweet ( Celastrus orbiculatus) can single-handedly strangle neighboring mature trees if left to its own devices.
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