Oriental bittersweet

plant

Also known as: Celastrus orbiculatus

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

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Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is a vigorous, European climbing vine that has become naturalized, particularly in eastern North America. It is part of the Celastrus genus, which also includes American bittersweet (C. scandens).12

This woody vine is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It produces flowers in whitish clusters, followed by yellow to orange capsules that split open to reveal seeds enclosed in yellow to crimson arils. Oriental bittersweet is known for its vigorous climbing habit, capable of reaching up to 12 meters (40 feet) in height.2

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bittersweet
scandens), and the Oriental bittersweet (C. orbiculatus), woody vines grown as ornamentals. The flowers, in whitish clusters, are followed by yellow to orange capsules, which split to reveal yellow to crimson arils enclosing the seeds. Oriental bittersweet is a more vigorous climber, reaching up to 12 metres (40…
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scandens), and the Oriental bittersweet (C. orbiculatus), woody vines grown as ornamentals. The flowers, in whitish clusters, are followed by yellow to orange capsules, which split to reveal yellow to crimson arils enclosing the seeds. Oriental bittersweet is a more vigorous climber, reaching up to 12 metres (40…
Read More

invasive species
Solutions
…ornamental plant from Asia called Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), and insect invaders, as well the diseases they may carry, climate warming associated with increases in atmospheric carbon will likely allow these species to gain footholds in habitats formerly off-limits to them. To prevent such scenarios from playing out, some ecologists…
Read More
…ornamental plant from Asia called Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), and insect invaders, as well the diseases they may carry, climate warming associated with increases in atmospheric carbon will likely allow these species to gain footholds in habitats formerly off-limits to them. To prevent such scenarios from playing out, some ecologists…
Read More