Oriental Bittersweet

(Celastrus orbiculatus)

Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)

minttoothpick

Public Domain

Image By: minttoothpick

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Estimated Native Range

Summary

Celastrus orbiculatus, commonly known as Oriental Bittersweet, is a deciduous perennial vine native to temperate regions of East Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan, as well as the Russian Far East. It thrives in a variety of habitats, such as forest edges, grasslands, and along streams, often climbing over and smothering native vegetation. This vigorous climber can reach lengths of over 60 feet (18 meters) when supported by trees or structures. Oriental Bittersweet is characterized by its extensive, twining vines with bark that ranges from silver to reddish-brown. The vines are typically 1 to 4 cm in diameter but can thicken to over 10 cm if growth is uninterrupted. The plant’s leaves are round, glossy, and have toothed margins, measuring 2–12 cm long. It produces small green flowers that are not particularly showy, followed by highly ornamental fruit: red seeds encased in yellow pods that open in autumn, providing visual interest but also contributing to its invasiveness.

Oriental Bittersweet is valued for its decorative fruit, which is used in floral arrangements, and its ability to cover unsightly structures quickly. However, it is notorious for its aggressive growth habit, which can damage or kill other plants by girdling stems and trunks. It is adaptable to a wide range of soil types and moisture levels but prefers full sun to part shade. While it can tolerate various drainage conditions, it grows best in well-drained soils. Gardeners should be cautious, as all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested. Due to its invasive nature, it is not recommended for planting outside its native range and is considered a noxious weed in many areas.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Vine
Height: 30-60 feet
Width: 5-10 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: N/A
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: High
Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Hummingbird Garden, Rabbit Resistant

Natural Habitat

Native to temperate regions of East Asia, including forest edges, grasslands, and along streams

Other Names

Common Names: Chinese Bittersweet , Asian Bittersweet , Round-Leaved Bittersweet , Asiatic Bittersweet , Japanese Bittersweet , Staffvine , Célastre Asiatique , Tsuru-Ume-Mo-Doki , Japansk Träddödare , Staff-Tree

Scientific Names: Celastrus orbiculatus , Celastrus orbiculatus var. strigillosus , Celastrus orbiculatus f. papillosus , Celastrus articulatus , Celastrus orbiculatus var. papillosus , Celastrus orbiculatus var. punctatus , Celastrus articulata , Celastrus jeholensis , Celastrus articulatus var. orbiculata , Celastrus crispulus

GBIF Accepted Name: Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb.