Euonymus alatus

burning bush euonymus species

Celastraceae › Euonymus

Burning bush euonymus or winged euonymus is in the Celastraceae family and is deciduous shrub native to Japan, China and Korea, growing up to 6 m tall.

  • Leaves are opposite, ovate-elliptic, 2–7 cm long and 1–4 cm broad, pointed, with finely serrated margins, turning from green, to bright red in the fall.
  • Twigs contain 4 corky ridges or “wings”.
  • Flowers are produced in late spring and are inconspicuous, small yellow-green and grow in groups of 3–8 together.
  • Fruit is a yellow-orange 4-lobed capsule containing a red aril in each lobe.
  • The term “burning bush” comes from the bright red color of its leaves in the fall.

Contributors

  • Philippe de Spoelberch