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History
and Description
The Oriental bittersweet is native to Eastern Asia, Korea,
China, and Japan. It is a perennial, which grows all the time.
The leaves are
glossy and rounded. Greenish flowers grow
from the base of the leaf and produce
many seeds. As the
vine gets old, the greenish fruits split open to hold
red-orange
flowers that hold the seeds. These fruits are very pretty in
flower arrangements. This vine can be found in sunny areas,
or in the shade. This allows it to grow in forest.
Uses
The Oriental bittersweet is an emergency food source for
birds in
the winter. It attracts Eastern bluebirds to your
landscape. It is also used for
ornamental purposes.
Reproduction
Oriental bittersweet reproduces by its seeds, and is
spread
by birds.
Ecological Threat
Oriental bittersweet spreads and groups over other plants.
This stops other plants from growing. It is also an
extreme
threat to plant communities due to its high reproductive rate,
long range dispersal, ability to root sucker, and rapid growth
rate. Its vines can
smother and kill native plants.
Control
In order to stop the spread of Oriental bittersweet, the
vines
have to be pulled out, and the seeds have to be hilled.
Roundup can also
be used. Cut its vines as close to the root
collar as possible. Oriental
bittersweet will re-sprout if not cut
so often that its root stores are tired.
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