Celastrus orbiculatus

Common Name: 
oriental bittersweet, asiatic bittersweet
Scientific Name: 
Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb.
Family Name: 
Celastraceae - Stafftree Family
Identification Notes
Life Cycle
introduced perennial, reproducing by seed and rootsuckers
Growth Habit of Oriental Bittersweet
Growth Habit of Oriental Bittersweet
Growth Habit of Oriental Bittersweet
Growth Habit of Oriental Bittersweet
Growth Habit of Oriental Bittersweet
Stems
woody deciduous, climbing vine, twisting around support, tendril absent, lenticels
Leaves
alternate, variable (round, elliptic, ovate or obovate), acute to round tip, margins serrate, glabrous
Leaves of Oriental Bittersweet
Leaves of Oriental Bittersweet
Flowers
5-petaled, greenish-white, small; male and female on separate plants
Flowers of Oriental Bittersweet
Flowers of Oriental Bittersweet
Flowers of Oriental Bittersweet
Fruit
three-valved, round, green to bright yellow when mature, yellow outer covering splits to reveal orange-red berry
Fruit of Oriental Bittersweet
Fruit of Oriental Bittersweet