winged burning bush
Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb.
Description from Invasive.org
- Appearance
- Euonymus alatus is a deciduous shrub, up to 20 ft. (6.1 m) in height, which invades forests throughout the eastern United States. Two to four corky ridges often form along the length of young stems, though they may not appear in shaded areas or closed canopies.
- Foliage
- The opposite, dark green leaves are < 2 in. (5 cm) long, smooth, rounded and taper at the tips. The leaves turn a bright crimson to purplish color in the fall.
- Flowers
- The flowers are inconspicuous, are greenish yellow and have four petals. Flowers develop from late April to June and lay flat against the leaves.
- Fruit
- The fruit which appears from September to October are reddish capsules that split to reveal orange fleshy seeds.
- Ecological Threat
- Euonymus alatus can invade not only a variety of disturbed habitats including forest edges, old fields, and roadsides but also in undisturbed forests. Birds and other wildlife eat and disperse the fruit. Once established, it can form dense thickets, displacing native vegetation. It is native to northeastern Asia and was first introduced into North America in the 1860s for ornamental purposes. This plant is still sold and planted as an ornamental.
Resources
- A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
- Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
- Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Selected Images from Invasive.org
View All Images at Invasive.org
Foliage Maturing fruit and foliage beginning to turn bright red in October
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s) October
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage Fall leaf color and stem in November
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Twig(s)/Shoot(s) April
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s) April
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s)
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s)
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Twig(s)/Shoot(s) Close-up of stem showing wings
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Seedling(s)
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s) in December
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage