Celastrus orbiculatus

Species

Climbing spindleberry (Celastrus orbiculatus) is a long-lived, deciduous climbing vine that is native to East Asia. It was introduced to New Zealand as a garden ornamental and was first recorded in the wild (naturalised) in 1981. The plant climbs by twining stems and can grow high into the canopy of trees. It has glossy, rounded leaves with finely toothed margins. It flowers from November to December, producing small greenish-white flowers, which develop into yellow capsules that split open to reveal bright red seeds. It tolerates shade and a range of soil types. It reproduces by seed and vegetatively by root suckers. Seeds are dispersed by birds and other animals that eat the fruit. Root suckers allow the plant to spread locally and resprout after damage.

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