Common Name: Oriental Bittersweet

General Information

Celastrus orbiculatus is a deciduous climbing shrub with branched, twining stems that can climb up to 12 metres high into the surrounding vgetation[]..
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of fibre. The young shoots are harvested in the spring and sold as a food in local markets in Korea[]. The plant is often grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a hedge.
Celastrus orbiculatus has spread from cultivation in Europe and N. America, becoming established in native woodland where it can outcompete and exclude native species. It has become a seriously invasive plant in much of eastern North America[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Russian Far East (Amur, Primorye, Sakhalin), eastern China, Japan, Korea.

Habitat

Thickets on grassy slopes in lowland and mountains all over Japan[]. Forest edges in China[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is hardy to about -25°c[].
Prefers a deep loamy soil[] but succeeds in most soils so long as they are not too shallow[]. Succeeds in full or partial shade[]. Plants flower more freely if their top-growth is in the sun[]. Requires a humus-rich soil if it is to be at its best[].
A very ornamental plant[].
A rampant climber, it requires ample space and is best grown into an old tree[, 200. It climbs by means of twining and also by the young stems having prickles[]. Plants do not normally require pruning[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Plants are usually dioecious, in which case male and female plants must be grown if seed is required, but hermaphrodite forms are in cultivation[, , ].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - cooked[, ]. The young shoots are harvested in spring[].

Medicinal

The roots, stems and leaves are antiphlogistic, antirheumatic, depurative and tonic[, ]. A decoction of the roots and stems is used internally whilst the crushed fresh leaves are used for external applications[]. The plant is used in the treatment of paralysis, numbness of the four extremities, headache, toothache, spontaneous abscess formation and snake bites[].

The ripe fruit is used in Chinese traditional medicine[].

Many plants in this genus contain compounds of interest for their antitumour activity[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be used as a hedge[].

Other Uses

A fine fibre is obtained from the bark[].

An extract of the branches and leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an antioxidant and bleach[].

The seed yields around 50% oil[]. No uses are given

Propagation

Seed - gather when ripe, store in dry sand and sow late winter in a warm greenhouse[]. Three months cold stratification leads to a higher germination rate[]. Remove the flesh of the fruit since this inhibits germination[]. Germination rates are usually good[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].
Layering in August of the current seasons growth. Takes 12 months[].
Root cuttings, 6mm thick 25mm long in December. Plant horizontally in pots in a frame[].