‘It’s devastating to see it be taken over’

Forests and parks in Indiana are drenched in oriental bittersweet IndyStar.

This invasive plant is a fast-growing vine that threatens trees, native plants and wildlife.

What’s going on?

Once prized for its bright orange berries and decorative appeal, oriental bittersweet is one of the most destructive species in Indiana’s ecosystems.

First imported from East Asia in the 1800s, oriental bittersweet was popular for landscaping and wreath making. IndyStar reported that gardeners realized the plant was becoming more of a pest in the 1960s.

The vine has now escaped from yards and gardens, invading places like Clifty Falls State Park and the Indiana Dunes. According to experts, the plant’s thick vines wrap tightly around tree trunks, blocking water flow and sunlight.

Over time, the added weight can make the tops of trees so heavy that they collapse during wind or ice storms.

“It’s devastating to see it taken over like this,” retired botanist Ellen Jacquart told IndyStar, describing how entire forest canopies disappeared beneath a green tangle of bittersweet vines.

Why is the bittersweetness of the East worrying?

Invasive species, such as oriental bittersweet, disrupt the delicate balance of ecosystems when they outcompete native plants for light, nutrients and water.

Trees can no longer provide food and shelter for birds, insects and mammals. The resulting canopy gaps make it difficult or even impossible for native plants on the forest floor to recover.

Protecting native species also helps ensure clean water, healthy soil, and a reliable food supply to people. When invasive plants dominate an area, ecosystems become less resilient to pests, diseases, and extreme weather conditions such as flooding.

What is being done about the bittersweet taste of the East?

Organizations like this Indiana State Cooperative Invasive Management We work with volunteers to identify and eliminate oriental bittersweet.

Local residents can help by learning to recognize the plant’s distinctive orange fruits. They need to cut the vines at the base rather than pulling them, which can worsen the damage.

Planting native plants in gardens or establishing a garden natural grass It also helps rebuild natural resilience and habitat for local fauna.

Get TCDs free newsletters Earn up to $5,000 in TCD-exclusive clean upgrades for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices Reward Club.