Oriental Bittersweet is an invasive and increasingly common high-climbing vine, introduced from Asia. A big problem in the Mountains of North Carolina, where it is outcompeting the native American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens).

Madison Co., NC 5/11/08.

The flowers are small and green.

Madison Co., NC 5/11/08.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/2/09.

The alternate, deciduous leaves are nearly round, while those of American Bittersweet are narrower.

Chapel Hill, NC 4/20/03.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/6/06.

The bright orange-red fruits are quite ornamental -- the reason the vine was introduced. The fruits are eaten and seeds spread by birds. The flowers and fruits of Oriental Bittersweet are in axillary cymes, while those of American Bittersweet are in terminal panicles.

Chapel Hill, NC 11/13/05.