Celastrus scandens and Celastrus orbiculatus: Comparisons of Reproductive Potential between a Native and an Introduced Woody Vine

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Abstract
Pollen and seed viability tests were conducted with the native Celastrus scandens L. and the naturalized C. orbiculatus Thunb. Mean pollen viability from three Connecticut sites was 48% for C. scandens and 67% for C. orbiculatus. At a fourth site a group of plants first identified as C. orbiculatus had two different types of pollen (large, viable and small, nonviable) within single flowers. The possibility that these plants are interspecific hybrids is being investigated. Seed germination was 27% for C. scandens and 71% for C. orbiculatus. In addition to high pollen and seed viability, bird, mammal and human dispersal are considered important in the rapid expansion of C. orbiculatus populations in Connecticut [USA] and elsewhere.

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