winged burning bush: Euonymus alatus (Celastrales: Celastraceae)

winged burning bush
Celastrales > Celastraceae > Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb.
Synonym(s): burning bush, winged euonymus, winged spindletree
Winged burning bush is a deciduous shrub, up to 20 ft. (6.1 m) in height, which invades forests throughout the eastern United States. Occasionally, four corky ridges appear along the length of young stems. 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. The flowers are inconspicuous, greenish yellow and have 4 petals. Flowers develop in the spring and lay flat against the leaves. Fruit are reddish capsules that split to reveal orange fleshy seeds. Winged burning bush can invade a variety of disturbed habitats including forest edges, old fields, and roadsides. Birds readily disperse the seeds, allowing for many long dispersal events. Once established, it can form dense thickets that displace native vegetation. Winged burning bush is native to northeastern Asia and was first introduced into North America in the 1860s for ornamental purposes. It currently continues to be sold and planted as an ornamental or roadside hedge.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Invasive Plant Atlas of New England - University of Connecticut

Invasive Plants Field and Reference Guide - USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area

Invasive Plants of Asian Origin Established in the United States and Their Natural Enemies - Volume 1 - USDA Forest Service

Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station

Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service & U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Prescriptions for Specific Nonnative Invasive Plants - USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station

Weeds of the Week - USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area, Forest Health Protection

Selected Images from Invasive.org

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Seedling(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org 768x512	Plant(s); April James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Plant(s); in December James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Foliage; May James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Foliage; Maturing fruit and foliage beginning to turn bright red in October James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Foliage; Fall leaf color and stem in November James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Twig(s)/Shoot(s); Close-up of stem showing wings Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org 768x512	Twig(s)/Shoot(s); April James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Bark; April James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org 768x512	Fruit(s); October James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Fruit(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org 768x512
Infestation; Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org 768x512

Invasive Reference(s):

Check Invasive.org for most current lists.

Georgia - EPPC list
Kentucky - EPPC List
Massachusetts - Noxious Weed Law
New Hampshire - Noxious Weed Law
Rhode Island - Noxious Weed Law
South Carolina - EPPC List
Tennessee - EPPC List
Virginia - Invasive Alien Plant Species
Mid-Atlantic - EPPC List
Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species
Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England

External Links


				Bargeron, C.T., C.R. Minteer, C.W. Evans, D.J. Moorhead, G.K. Douce and R.C. Reardon. Technical Coordinators. 2008. Invasive Plants of the United States DVD-ROM: Identification, Biology and Control. USDA Forest Service. Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. Morgantown, WV. FHTET-08-11.