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Skaneateles Conservation Area/Invasive species/Celastrus orbiculatus

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<< Prohibited invasive plants at the SCA

Celastrus (bittersweet)

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There are two bittersweet (Celastrus) species present in the vicinity of the Skaneateles Conservation Area (SCA):

  • Celastrus orbiculatus (oriental bittersweet) is very highly invasive vine from eastern Asian and is prohibited from being sold in New York State
  • Celastrus scandens (American bittersweet) is a fairly rare native vine

These two species have been known to hybridize, which could cause the further decline of native American bittersweets.[1]

Because of their colorful persistent fruit, both of these vines have been used for making holiday decorations. This practice has been linked to the spread of oriental bittersweet, so finding native sources for these decorations in now encouraged.[2]

The native American bittersweet has been observed at the SCA, west of the part of the transfer station where yard waste is dumped. Because this plant is so rare in our area, it may be reasonable to assume that seeds had been transported by birds or other creatures the short distance from the transfer station.[3]

  1. ↑ David N. Zaya, Stacey A. Leicht-Young, Noel B. Pavlovic, Kevin A. Feldheim & Mary V. Ashley (2015). "Genetic characterization of hybridization between native and invasive bittersweet vines (Celastrus spp.)." Biological Invasions 17: 2975–2988.
  2. ↑ Kimberly Peace (2020). "Your Holiday Decorations May Contain an Invasive Species." Hoyle Tanner & Associates, Inc. Blog.
  3. ↑ iNaturalist observation of Celastrus scandens American Bittersweet, at the Skaneateles Conservation Area, 14-Aug-2021.

Invasiveness ranking for Celastrus orbiculatus (oriental bittersweet)

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Celastrus orbiculatus (oriental bittersweet) is ranked as very highly invasive, with a relative maximum score of 86.67%[1] and is prohibited by New York State law.[2]

Ecological impact (23/30)

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1.1. Impact on Natural Ecosystem Processes and System-Wide Parameters: Influences ecosystem processes to a minor degree (3/10)

  • Large stands of Celastrus orbiculatus over-top and shade entire communities, especially meadows and young forests, and reduce light levels.[3]
  • Raises soil pH and soil nitrification rates.[4]
  • Changes fire regime by acting as a ladder fuel and carrying fire into canopies.[5]

1.2. Impact on Natural Community Structure: Major alteration of structure (10/10)

  • Will girdle and kill trees and shrubs that it grows on.[6]

1.3. Impact on Natural Community Composition: Causes major alteration in community composition (10/10)

  • Displaces the native vegetation in the areas it covers.[7]

1.4. Impact on other species or species groups: Unknown (0/0)

Biological characteristics and dispersal ability

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Ecological amplitude and distribution

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Difficulty of control

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References for invasiveness ranking

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  1. ↑ M.J. Jordan, G. Moore & T.W. Weldy (2008). Invasiveness ranking system for non-native plants of New York. Unpublished. The Nature Conservancy, Cold Spring Harbor, NY; Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY; The Nature Conservancy, Albany, NY. Celastrus orbiculatus assessed by Jinshuang Ma, Steven Clemants, Gerry Moore, March, 5, 2008; 25 July 2008.
  2. ↑ New York Codes, Rules and Regulations, Title 6 Section 575.3 - Prohibited invasive species
  3. ↑ Janet L. Fryer (2011). Celastrus orbiculatus. In: Fire Effects Information System, (online). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
  4. ↑ Stacey A. Leicht-Young, Hillary O'Donnell, Andrew M. Latimer and John A. Silander, Jr. (2009). "Effects of an Invasive Plant Species, Celastrus orbiculatus, on Soil Composition and Processes." The American Midland Naturalist 161(2): 219-231.
  5. ↑ Kristin Zouhar, Jane Kapler Smith, Steve Sutherland, Matthew L. Brooks (2008). Wildland fire in ecosystems: fire and nonnative invasive plants. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 6. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 74-75 of 355.
  6. ↑ Skylure Templeton, Art Gover, Dave Jackson, and Sarah Wurzbacher (2020). Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) Fact Sheet. Penn State Extension, College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University.
  7. ↑ J. Swearingen, B. Slattery, K. Reshetiloff, and S. Zwicker (2010). Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas, 4th ed. National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Washington, DC. pp. 115-116 of 168.

Observations of Celastrus orbiculatus (oriental bittersweet) at the SCA

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The following photographs and corresponding iNaturalist observations of Celastrus orbiculatus were made at or very near the Skaneateles Conservation Area. Click on images to enlarge and read details on Wikimedia Commons or on the "iNat obs" links to view the corresponding observations at iNaturalist.

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