Plant Profile: Celastrus orbiculatus

Plants can be classified as either male or female.

Originating from Eastern Asia, this species is recognized as invasive by several authorities, including the NC State Weed Specialist, the North Carolina Forest Service, the USDA National Invasive Species Information Center, the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States, and the National Park Service.

It typically thrives in sunny locations such as forest edges, roadsides, and meadows. The plant spreads rapidly through its vigorous vine growth and seeds, which are dispersed by birds, mammals, and human activity. It was brought to the United States from Southeast Asia around 1860 for ornamental purposes.

Controlling bittersweet can be quite challenging. Simply cutting or pulling it out is often ineffective, as this can trigger the vine to re-sprout multiple times, and any fragments of root left behind will regenerate. For home gardens, the most effective approach is to cut the vines down to the ground and promptly apply herbicide to the freshly cut stems, following the instructions provided on the product label.