Minnesota First Detectors Oriental Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus
Jan 20, 2016
Minnesota First Detectors
Oriental BittersweetCelastrus orbiculatus
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Oriental bittersweet
Woody vine that climbs other vegetation such trees and structures
Thrives in a wide range of habitats, light levels, and soil types
Grows to 66’ in length Introduced as an
ornamental
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Reproduces by seed, rhizome, and stolon
Male and female plants Fruit production on
female plants Short-term seed viability
Biology
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Urtica/Flickr creative commons
Wildlife vectored dispersal
Seed dispersal is vectored by birds and other wildlife that eat the fruit containing seed.
http://gremlinthecat.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.html
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Urtica/Flickr creative commons
Human vectored dispersal
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Highly invasive and damaging
Trees strangled, smothered and broken by vines
Reduced light available for plant growth
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Minnesota First Detectors
Minnesota First Detectors
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American bittersweet Celastrus scandens
Native related species Occur in same habitat Oriental bittersweet
outcompetes American bittersweet
Hybrids? Cultivars
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Minnesota First Detectors
Distinguishing bittersweets
American Oriental
Fruit capsule color
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Variable leaf shape = not reliable
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Other woody vines
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Which is Oriental bittersweet?
75%
25% 1. Plant 1
2. Plant 2
1 2
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Control methods
Foliar application Low growing plants, seedlings and re-
sprouting cut stumps Cut stump and basal bark treatments
Large vines
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Oriental bittersweet distribution
EDDMapS. 2014. Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System. The University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. Available online at http://www.eddmaps.org/; last accessed February 12, 2014.
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OB Distribution
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Report infestations
1. Location information1. GPS coordinates preferred when access is
permissible
2. Note location for infestations on private property without permission to access
2. Digital photographs of the vine and fruit or flowers will aid identification
3. Call “Arrest the Pest” 888-545-6684
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Legal status in Minnesota
Prohibited Noxious Weed on Eradicate List All plant parts must be destroyed No propagation or sale is allowed
Cultivars Prohibited Oriental bittersweet cultivars
Diana, Hercules, Indian Mix, Indian Brave, Indian Maiden Approved American bittersweet cultivars
Autumn Revolution and Sweet Tangerine ‘Swtazam’
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Infestations in Minnesota
Goal is to prevent new infestations and contain and control existing infestations. Small, manageable infestations should be controlled
by landowners MnDOT and DNR have destroyed multiple small
infestations and are monitoring seedbanks. Coordinated initial control of large Oriental
bittersweet infestations across land ownship boundaries was recommended for funding by the Legislative Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources
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http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/plants/badplants/orientalbittersweet.aspx
Questions?