Python of the plant world

6 years ago

No doubt everyone has heard about the pythons in the Everglades. This is an introduced species which is doing great harm. There is no clear, easy, affordable way to eradicate them.

We have an identical problem in the plant world. It escapes the evening news because your typical American has exactly ZERO botanical knowledge. The culprit is Oriental Bittersweet Vine or Celastrus orbiculatus. This is an introduced Asian weed. Apparently the berries on the fruiting vines are sought after for decorations. Birds spread the seed far and wide. If that's not bad enough, pollen from male vines contaminates the genepool and our native bittersweet becomes polluted.

OBV is an aggressive, high climbing vine which produces abundant seed clusters in the axils of the vine. Roots are distinctly orange.

Just like the pythons of the Everglades there is no easy was to eradicate them. Cut large stems close to the ground and paint with 41% glyphosate, especially effective in Sept/Oct. Smaller vines can be yanked out by the roots. You will have to followup more than once.

I want to encourage everyone to get out and observe the natural landscape. (It's gonna mean going beyond the picket fence). Observe our parks, riparian and natural areas of eastern half of N. America. The pic above shows the weed girdling a young hickory. Around here they get started in holly and eventually take over the whole tree.

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arbordave (SE MI)

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Has proliferated exponentially around here in recent years, now rivaling buckthorn as one of our worst invasives. Google image along one of our local roads with C orbiculatus engulfing a few pines in a natural area near a creek:

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Comments (7)

sam_md
Original Author
6 years ago

Here's an example of a fruiting vine. Interesting to note this late in the season the fruit becomes mushy and fermented. Smells like wine.

This should not be used for wreathes for the front door or centerpieces. The only thing I can recommend is the fire.
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UpperBayGardener (zone 7)
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
"It escapes the evening news because your typical American has exactly ZERO botanical knowledge."

Alas, truer words have never been spoken!

They also often lack general common sense and even a modicum of thoughtful observational ability. Some neighbors bought a house whose yard had been neglected by the prior owner. They cleared a massive patch of old spireas that had been invaded by celastrus, lonicera japonica, poison ivy, and rose of sharon. What did the idiots replant after they graded the area with a rented skid loader? MORE ROSE OF SHARON! This is truly my most hated plant I think...because at least most people don't think Celastrus is worth planting. It spreads like wild fire in a garden setting around here. In a climate where there are hundreds of better shrubs to grow, nothing quite says "white trash" like a yard with a bunch of hideous unkempt Rose of Sharon.
UpperBayGardener (zone 7)
6 years ago
"Cut large stems close to the ground and paint with 41% glyphosate,
especially effective in Sept/Oct. Smaller vines can be yanked out by
the roots. You will have to followup more than once."

Drill and fill in autumn using an oral irrigation syringe...never had one come back.
arbordave (SE MI)
6 years ago
"Python of the plant world" is an apt phrase for the lethal constriction that Celastrus orbiculatus can inflict on its hapless victims. These poor trees' days are numbered. If you have this vine on your property get out there and cut/spray it before it's too late.
UpperBayGardener (zone 7)
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
One of the most awful horticultural (silvicultural?) sights I've seen was a stretch of highway 87 in the lower Hudson Valley where hundreds of acres had been taken over by this monster. Looked so awful. Many dead trees. Can't believe the state didn't do something about it.
Kay young--Zone 5
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Thank you for informing me of this Python. I had so been wanting the two tones of this bittersweet berries and wanted so long. And I finally got it and planted a few yrs ago ...

Boy, they grow, grow and climb climb.

After reading your scary stories, I will ask my husband cut, chop and burn them. Thanks,