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| Oriental Bittersweet - December 2011 photo by Jonathan Schechter The berries are beautiful adding delightful splashes of yellow and red to many trailsides of Oakland County. But make no doubt about it: This rapidly spreading invasive species is a real killer and has proven to be a successful invader of habitats across the Midwest. The berries are not now "just getting ripe" as some may think, but they have been there since October, hidden among the foliage. But now as the winds of Decemeber wash the woods clear of the last leaves these prolific and non-edible fruits are exposed for all to see. And how do they kill? They strangle other plants with their numerous wrap around vines and in the process change the native landscape and the species that live there. But that too is nature's way for nature respects no boundary and has no preference. We are one Earth and it will always change, for better or worse, but it is human behavior and our ways that serve as the greatest catalyst. |
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Jonathan,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this article and photo. This vine and berry are so beautiful that I have picked it to put in arrangements at home and then disposed of indiscriminately. I won't do it again.
Any plans to remove it? How about hacking it out or burning the root? Invasive species will only get worse . . .I cringe at all the Garlic Mustard I see . . .
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