Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Winged Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Celastrales>Celastraceae>Euonymus alatus (Thunberg) Siebold

Abundantly planted, this shrub native to China, Japan, and Korea is increasingly escaping from cultivation into urban/suburban woodlands in North Carolina. It is a problem invasive exotic in the northeastern US and may become a problem here, too. The photo at left was taken in Price Park in Greensboro, NC, where it is a common escape.

Greensboro, NC 5/15/10.

Winged Burning Bush is similar to the native Euonymus americanus, but shorter in stature, more compact, and frequently with distinctively winged stems.

Greensboro, NC 5/15/10.

Winged Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)

The common name "Burning Bush" refers to the brilliant red fall color. Other common names include Winged Euonymus and Winged Spindletree.

Duke University campus, Durham, NC 4/30/07.

Winged Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)

The thin tan-colored corky wings contrast strongly with the green stems.

Durham, NC 4/30/07.

More information:
Floridata
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas
TNC Weeds
University of Connecticut

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