A Tale of Two Bittersweets

Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is one of the most prevalent and troublesome invasive vines in Laurel Park. It is one of two bittersweet species within the genus Celastrus. Oriental bittersweet is a non-native invasive vine that poses a significant threat to the local ecosystem.

In contrast, American bittersweet (C. scandens) is a native species that does not possess the invasive characteristics of Oriental bittersweet. Oriental bittersweet is widespread in Laurel Park and across the North Carolina mountains, while American bittersweet, although native to our region, is rare.

Distinguishing between the two can be difficult, particularly if you do not have them together for a side-by-side comparison. This document provides information to differentiate between these two species.

SourceLeicht-Young, Stacey A., et al. “Distinguishing Native (Celastrus Scandens L.) and Invasive (C. Orbiculatus Thumb.) Bittersweet Species Using Morphological Characteristics.” The Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, vol. 134, no. 4, 2007, pp. 441–50. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20063940. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.