Minnesota First Detectors Oriental Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus

Minnesota First Detectors

Oriental BittersweetCelastrus orbiculatus


Oriental bittersweet

Woody vine that climbs other vegetation such trees and structures

Thrives in a wide range of habitats, light levels, and soil types

Grows to 66’ in length Introduced as an

ornamental


Reproduces by seed, rhizome, and stolon

Male and female plants Fruit production on

female plants Short-term seed viability

Biology


Urtica/Flickr creative commons

Wildlife vectored dispersal

Seed dispersal is vectored by birds and other wildlife that eat the fruit containing seed.

http://gremlinthecat.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.html


Urtica/Flickr creative commons

Human vectored dispersal



Highly invasive and damaging

Trees strangled, smothered and broken by vines

Reduced light available for plant growth






American bittersweet Celastrus scandens

Native related species Occur in same habitat Oriental bittersweet

outcompetes American bittersweet

Hybrids? Cultivars



Distinguishing bittersweets

American Oriental

Fruit capsule color



Variable leaf shape = not reliable


Other woody vines


Which is Oriental bittersweet?

75%

25% 1. Plant 1

2. Plant 2

1 2


Control methods

Foliar application Low growing plants, seedlings and re-

sprouting cut stumps Cut stump and basal bark treatments

Large vines


Oriental bittersweet distribution

EDDMapS. 2014. Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System. The University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. Available online at http://www.eddmaps.org/; last accessed February 12, 2014.


OB Distribution


Report infestations

1. Location information1. GPS coordinates preferred when access is

permissible

2. Note location for infestations on private property without permission to access

2. Digital photographs of the vine and fruit or flowers will aid identification

3. Call “Arrest the Pest” 888-545-6684


Legal status in Minnesota

Prohibited Noxious Weed on Eradicate List All plant parts must be destroyed No propagation or sale is allowed

Cultivars Prohibited Oriental bittersweet cultivars

Diana, Hercules, Indian Mix, Indian Brave, Indian Maiden Approved American bittersweet cultivars

Autumn Revolution and Sweet Tangerine ‘Swtazam’


Infestations in Minnesota

Goal is to prevent new infestations and contain and control existing infestations. Small, manageable infestations should be controlled

by landowners MnDOT and DNR have destroyed multiple small

infestations and are monitoring seedbanks. Coordinated initial control of large Oriental

bittersweet infestations across land ownship boundaries was recommended for funding by the Legislative Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources


http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/plants/badplants/orientalbittersweet.aspx

Questions?

Documents

Minnesota First Detectors Oriental Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus