Botanical name : |
Celastrus orbiculatus |
Family : |
Celastraceae (spindle tree) |
Common name : |
climbing spindle berry |
Also known as : |
oriental bittersweet, C. scandens |
Where is it originally
from? : |
Eastern Asia, Korea, China and Japan |
What does it look like? : |
Deciduous, hairless climber (<12 m high) with suckering roots, round, woody, layering, greyish brown stems and young green twigs that often have sharp spines (1-2 mm). Roundish, finely serrated leaves (5-10cm long) alternate on the stem and turn yellow before falling. Pale green insignificant flowers are followed by round yellow to orange seed capsules (6-8 mm diameter) that expose fleshy scarlet seed coverings. |
Are there any similar
species? : |
No. |
Why is it weedy? : |
Grows rapidly, has a scrambling habit, suckering roots, and stems that take root when they touch the ground. Well dispersed seeds are viable for 2-5 years. Tolerates hot to very cold temperatures, shade (where seeds germinate best), and high to moderately low rainfall. |
How does it spread? : |
Seeds are spread by birds, possibly possums and other mammals. |
What damage does it do? : |
Stems strangle host and climb to the top of most canopies, causing them to collapse. Layering stems become dense, forming impenetrable thickets. |
Which habitats is
it likely to invade? : |
Disturbed and intact bush, shrubland, and bush margins. |
What can I do to get
rid of it? : |
1. Dig out and dispose of as much as possible either at refuse transfer station or by burning.
2. Stump and stem swab (spring-summer): cut and dispose of most stems. Slice and treat both ends of remaining layering stems: glyphosate (250ml/L) or Tordon Brushkiller (100ml/L).
3. Spray (spring-summer): glyphosate (150ml/10L) + penetrant or metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg 5g/10L + penetrant or triclopyr 600 EC (20ml/10L) + penetrant. For large stands, best to cut and dispose of stems in autumn, and spray regrowth in spring. |
What can I do to
stop it coming back? : |
Hard to kill as stumps and suckers resprout and dropped stems take root. Maintain at least 6 monthly follow up until eliminated. |
