Asian bittersweet spreads in Norridgewock

October 17, 2026

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(Celastrus orbiculatus), an invasive vine introduced to North America in 1879, was the most frequently observed plant species in the past 30 days with 9 sightings, most recently on 2026-10-15 in Norridgewock.¹ The species readily hybridizes with native bittersweet, threatening genetic integrity of the native population and establishing woody vine dominance that smothers understory vegetation.¹

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