Celastrus Orbiculatis, Oriental Bittersweet Identification Fact Sheet

This is the tree, shrub, and vine identification project fact sheet for Celastrus orbiculatis, Oriental Bittersweet. This fact sheet may not be copied in part or in whole and submitted as one's own project, but may be cited as a source of facts during one's own research. See tree, shrub, and vine identification project main page for links to other plants, and Invasive Plants slideshow for pictures.
BITTERSWEET:

Plant Botanical Name: Celastrus Orbiculatis

Common Name: Oriental Bittersweet, Chinese Bittersweet, Bittersweet

Family Name: Celastraceae

Plant is Native to What Country: Japan and China

Plant Height at Maturity: Plant height is limited only by the structure the plant climbs. Can reach over a hundred feet long, often climbing to the tops of trees or forming dense thickets in areas where trees are absent.

Plant Habit and Form: Fast growing, twining deciduous vines of medium texture. Will climb up trees and shrubs, often forming dense thickets and chocking out other vegetation.

Foliage: Simple, orbicular leaves arranged alternate on stems, 2-5 inches with serrated margins. Leaves green in color turning yellow in fall. Leaves have good summer and fall color.

Bark: Stems tan to gray with prominent lenticels, becoming tan with gray lenticels with age.

Flower: Flowers inconspicuous, white, along stems or in small clusters.

Fruit/Seed: Yellow-tan seeds enclosed inside a fleshy, orange-red aril. Aril enclosed within scales that mature to yellow and open, revealing the red aril. Very showy in fall, was used as a fresh or dried flower.

Growing Requirements: Hardy to zone 4. Tolerates a wide range of soil and light situations. Intolerant of waterlogged or really dry soils. Prefers slightly acidic soils.

Problems and Drawbacks: Invasive and will choke out other vegetation. Grows fast and takes over areas. Banned as invasive in some states.

Special Uses: Used for covering banks; valued for its ornamental fruit and foliage. Vines useful for crafting. Fruit can be used in fresh and dried flower arrangements.

ID Tips/Remarks: Root bark is bright orange.

Bibliography: http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/c/celorb/celorb1.html, http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/vine/celorb/all.html,
http://www.plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=CEOR7