Winged Burning Bush
Euonymus alatus
| Common Name: | Winged burning bush |
| Scientific Name: | Euonymus alatus |
| Family: | Celastraceae |
| Growth Form: | Shrub |
| Alien Range: | Northeastern Asia to central |
| Invasive Range: | New England, south to Northern Florida and the |
| Introduction: | Winged burning bush was introduced as an ornamental plant in the 1860s. Its seeds have been spread by birds. It is also widely used in the landscaping of malls and highways. |
| Description: | ·Leaves: Opposite, elliptic to obovate in shape. 2-7 cm (1-3 in.) long. Bright red in fall.
·Branches: Green or brown. Have 2-4 corky ridges ("wings"). Plant can grow 5-6.5 m (15-20 ft.) tall. ·Flowers: Green, inconspicuous. Present from May to June. ·Fruit: Red capsule. 0.5- 1 cm (0.3-0.5 in.) long. Orange, fleshy seeds. |
| Threats: | The Winged burning bush can have a detrimental effect on ecosystems because it forms dense thickets, shading out native herbs, and crowding out native shrubs. Birds are attracted to the fruit and feed on them, widely distributing the seeds. |
| Fun Facts: | The genus name Euonymus comes from Greek and means “good name” or “of good repute.” |
English ivy on a tree
Leaf
English ivy taking over a tree
Bush
Leaf
Fruit with capsule
Ridges on branch