This high-climbing alien vine is now a major problem in several eastern states, initially in mid-Atlantic urban areas but now also Appalachian regions and the Ohio Valley. Although present in North America for over 50 years, major invasions only occurred after 1970, probably assisted by promotion for horticulture. Invasion has also been often promoted by thinning of woods after storms, allowing remaining trees to become more vigorous as well as the Celastrus (e.g. Horton & Francis 2014). Viable seed are often produced and may germinate faster than scandens (Van Clef & Stiles 2001). Unfortunately, the showy fruit of orbiculatus has been touted for ornamental uses, with insufficient attention fo the alternative cultivation and selection of scandens. In Ky. this species has the potential to become widespread along woodland edges due to dispersal by birds from plantings. It has become locally abundant at several scattered localities, but especially in northeastern regions where it seems to have spread from extensive populations across se. Ohio and W.Va. (D. Taylor, pers. comm.). However, the species remains uncommon to rare in most of central and western Ky. There is some potential for deer browsing (or proper use of livestock) to reduce the spread of of orbiculatus (Rossell et al. 2007, Averill et al. 2016, Mundahl & Borsari 2016); scandens may be less palatable (Bowers 1993). Colls. of orbiculatus are sometimes difficult to distinguish from scandens without flowers (in axillary versus terminal clusters) or fruits (with yellow versus orange valves); but see W and his citations. Leaf blades vary much in shape but those of fertile branches are generally more glossy, less elongated (L/W mostly 1.2-1.7 versus 1.8-2.6), broadly elliptic to suborbicular (versus elliptic to obovate), with shorter tapered apices (mostly 2-5 mm versus 5-10 mm above the inflexion). Expanding leaves are rolled (involute) versus folded (conduplicate).