# Oriental bittersweet (*Celastrus orbiculatus*) Oriental bittersweet is a climbing plant with bright orange berries and green leaves. It loves to grow on trees and fences, making it look beautiful in gardens and nature. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 47 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Bittersweet ![Oriental bittersweet](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Celastrus_orbiculatus.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Celastrus_orbiculatus.jpg) ## Appearance The Oriental bittersweet is a woody vine with glossy green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Its most striking feature is bright clusters of round, orange-red berries encased in vibrant yellow, three-part capsules, which split open to reveal the colorful fruit. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Celastrales - **Family:** Celastraceae - **Genus:** Celastrus ## Interesting facts - Its pretty berries look tasty, but are not safe for people to eat. - Its super strong vines can even snap small trees and fences! - The seeds inside the berries can travel far, often carried by birds! - This powerful vine can choke out other plants, even big trees! ## Special abilities - **Tree Hugger:** Oriental bittersweet can wrap its strong, woody vines tightly around trees, using them for support to reach sunlight high above. - **Berry Bomb:** Oriental bittersweet has abundant, bright berries that help birds spread its seeds far and wide, aiding its rapid spread. - **Super Spreader:** Oriental bittersweet can spread rapidly through underground stems and numerous seeds, quickly taking over new areas. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 150-1800 cm - **Spread:** 100-1000 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late_spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Moderate - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Seeds dispersed after birds eat berries - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits small flowers for nectar and pollen - **Eats:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer sometimes browse the leaves and stems - **Depends on:** Red Oak (*Quercus rubra*) — Uses trees for support to climb high for light ## Traits - [Climbing/Vine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/climbing-vine): Climbing or vine plants are characterized by a growth habit that allows them to ascend upwards by twining, tendrils, or adhesive roots. - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Poisonous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/poisonous): Poisonous organisms produce toxins that can cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through contact. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Invasive](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/invasive): Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not eat the berries, as they can make you feel sick. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Oriental bittersweet? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Oriental bittersweet? 150-1800 cm ### How wide does Oriental bittersweet spread? 100-1000 cm ### How big are the flowers on Oriental bittersweet? 0.3-0.5 cm ### When does Oriental bittersweet bloom? Late_spring ### Is Oriental bittersweet edible? No ### Is Oriental bittersweet toxic? Moderate ### What is Oriental bittersweet's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Camp Evans](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camp-evans) — New Jersey, US · Historic Site - [Camp Misty Mount Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camp-misty-mount-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Chesterfield Gorge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chesterfield-gorge) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Davisville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/davisville-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Days Ferry Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/days-ferry-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [East Greenwich Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-greenwich-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District [View all places to see Oriental bittersweet](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/oriental-bittersweet) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Oriental bittersweet: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oriental-bittersweet)