Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is an exotic weed in Illinois. The Illinois Exotic Weed Act prohibits the sale or distribution of this plant in Illinois. While these berries are unsafe for human consumption, they can be regularly consumed by many animals that disperse the seed in the environment. It commonly grows in woodlands, grasslands, and forests. This vine was introduced from Asia, and it has rapidly spread to areas throughout the Eastern United States. As a climbing vine, it can wrap itself around plants or trees, either reducing other plants’ access to light or suffocating the plants.
Oriental bittersweet is also an invasive plant. An invasive plant is a plant species that is nonnative to the location being considered and whose presence and spread negatively impacts (or is likely to impact) ecological and economic health. Data collected at The Morton Arboretum show that this plant is invasive on the Arboretum grounds. There are a number of native and nonnative species that could be used in place of Oriental bittersweet. As a native alternative, American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) can be planted instead.
More desirable species may be found using the Search Trees and Plants page of the Arboretum website.Before purchasing or planting, be sure to check for any local or state guidelines on this species, and make sure that this plant is suitable for its habitat by checking its attributes at mortonarb.org or plants.usda.gov.
- Family (English) Staff tree
- Family (botanic) Celastraceae
- Tree or plant type Vine
- Native locale Non-native
- Size range Large plant (more than 24 inches)
- Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
- Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
- Season of interest early winter, early fall, mid fall, late fall
- Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
- Shape or form Vining
- Growth rate Fast
