Invasive Plant Alert!
By Amy Cyman
Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) fruit ripens in the fall. Do not cut them for fall decorations as this helps to spread this noxious weed. Photo: James R. Allison, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bugwood.org Source: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/oriental-bittersweet/
As spring is now in full force, many of us want to be out in our yards beautifying our spaces. Here’s a quick tip for one invasive plant that you’ll want to keep your eye out for - because it’s definitely here in Dickeyville!
Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is an invasive plant that can quickly take over yards and natural areas in Maryland. It is a woody vine that can grow up to 60 feet long, with glossy green leaves and yellow-orange berries. Oriental bittersweet is native to Asia and was introduced to North America in the early 1900s as an ornamental plant. However, it has since escaped cultivation and become a major problem in many areas.
Oriental bittersweet is harmful to native plants because it can smother them and block their access to sunlight and water. It can also damage trees by wrapping its vines around their trunks and branches, which can weaken and eventually kill the trees. In addition, oriental bittersweet can produce allelopathic chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants.
What Can You Do to Help?
To remove oriental bittersweet, it is important to pull up the entire root system, including the taproot. This is extremely satisfying, and any plants that are being smothered by the vine will be very grateful to you! If you are unable to remove the entire root system, you can cut the vines down to the ground and paint the stumps with herbicide. Although it is always better to control plants without chemicals, occasional cautious use may be required. It may be necessary to repeat this process several times to completely kill the plant.
References
Link to article and photos: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/oriental-bittersweet/