Oriental bittersweet, sometimes used in wreath-making and other holiday decorations, is a woody vine that produces bright red fruits with yellow outer coverings. Use of the vines helps spread seeds to new areas, and once established in natural settings, the vines can wrap around trees, strangling them. The extra load on the tree limbs can cause limbs to fail, contributing to damage and power outages. Improper disposal of the decorations, either outdoors or in compost after the holiday season, can contribute to the spread of this highly invasive species, DEEP said in a news release.

Selling or moving bittersweet is prohibited by state law. The prohibition extends to seeds, flowers and other reproductive portions of the plants. Fines for violations are $50 per plant.

Anyone who finds invasive bittersweet for sale in Connecticut is asked to contact Logan Senack, Connecticut Invasive Plant Coordinator, at (860) 208-3900 or at: logan.senack@ct.gov. For information, visit: www.cipwg.uconn.edu.