Burning Bush
Euonymus alatus
Family Celastraceae

Characteristics:
* Leaves egg-shaped to elliptic, short-pointed, fine-toothed, hairy beneath, turning translucent pink in the fall, 2-6".
* Twigs green, lined with bladelike corky ridges on 4 sides.
* Flowers purple, clustered.
* Fruits reddish, berrylike, under purple woody bracts.
* Height: 6-12".

Natural History:
* Flowers June - July.
* Fruits August - November.
* Habitat: Found on a wide range of soil types in sun or shade.
* Range: Northeastern and north-central United States.
* Non native; naturalized.

Connections!
* In Latin, Euonymus means 'good plant.' The burning bush is also called Winged Euonymus, because of the winglike ridges on the twigs. The berries are poisonous to children.

* Many varieties of Euonymus are cultivated as ornamental plants, and have escaped cultivation.

Approved by NR

   

Created by: Allaire Diamond and Jiasuey Hsu
Maintained by: Nick Rodenhouse
Created: July 31, 1998
Last Modified: November 21, 2008