Oriental Bittersweet was introduced into the United States in the mid 1800s. Since then it has become a major weed of natural areas, competing with native vegetation for light and other resources. If left unchecked, it lowers the biodiversity of an area and leaves it less resilient to change. It also hybridizes with the native American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens), diluting its genetic identity. In this video we learn how to identify Oriental Bittersweet, and differentiate it from other vines in our woodlands, including American Bittersweet, Wild Grapes (Vitis spp.), Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), and Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). We also discuss control methods, including the specifics about what we do here at Oak Haven. CORRECTION: At about 3:45 I say that Oriental Bittersweet has 1-2 seeds per aril, and American Bittersweet has more. That is not a valid way to tell them apart.
Oak Haven is a 60-acre private woodland in Southwestern Ohio near Cincinnati. Jim and Julie Varick both have degrees in Botany and over thirty years of experience in managing natural areas. They enjoy sharing their enthusiasm for the natural world and would like to build relationships with like-minded people to share knowledge and resources.
14 окт 2024