Minnesota Warns Against Bittersweet

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is cautioning Minnesota landscapers to avoid the vibrant Oriental bittersweet, a woody vine commonly used for landscaping and holiday decorating. When established, this invasive vine can strangle trees, dominate tree canopies and kill plants. According to Minnesota's Noxious Weed Law, It is illegal for Oriental bittersweet to be transported or sold in Minnesota. If the vine is found in the state, it should be destroyed or controlled immediately.

Oriental bittersweet is known to be in Red Wing, Stillwater, the Twin Cities, and Winona. First confirmed in Minnesota in 2010, new outbreaks have been discovered each year since.

There is a similar looking alternative to Oriental bittersweet "?u American bittersweet, which is non-invasive. Fall and winter are the easiest seasons to distinguish between the two because fruits are clearly visible. American bittersweet fruits have orange fruit capsules. Oriental bittersweet has yellow fruit capsules. American bittersweet fruits are at the ends of stems; versus Oriental bittersweet fruits, which are found all along stems and at leaf axils.

If landscapers come across Oriental bittersweet, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture asks that the plant be bagged and that contractors contact its office at 888-545-6684 or Arrest.the.Pest@state.mn.us.