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Winged Burning Bush
Euonymus alatus
 Identification
Medium to large
deciduous shrub that grows up to 20 feet tall. Highly
branched, usually with several main stems and a broad, closed crown.
Simple leaves are opposite and turn very bright red in fall, just
before dropping. The stems are mostly green in color, and sometimes
possess corky winged growth similar to native sweetgum or winged
elm. Small 4-petal flowers produce orange to red fruits in
abundance. These fruits turn a dark purple color and fall off the
plant in late fall, soon after the leaves.
Origin
Asia to Central China
Habitat
Winged burning
bush is highly adaptable to soil conditions and habitats. Highly
shade tolerant and can grow well in full sun. Not very drought
tolerant. It escapes ornamental plantings by seed and moves into
open woods, roadsides and riparian areas. Germination rate and
growth rate are slower in wet areas.
Ecological Threat
Winged burning
bush is beginning to show up in natural areas where none has ever
been planted, thanks to seed dispersal by birds. Once established in
a natural area, the large amount of seed and vegetative reproduction
by root suckering of this plant cause it to out-compete native plant
species and push them out of the habitat. Often planted in
landscapes and highway medians for its aesthetic value, this shrub
is just beginning to show its invasive tendencies and could become a
serious problem in the future.
Recommended Native Alternatives
-
Hearts-a-bustin
(Euonymus americanus)
-
Spicebush (Lindera
benzoin)
-
Arrowood
viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)
These pages are designed to give the
layperson a general overview of non-native invasive plants commonly
found in the upper Hiwassee River watershed. For more comprehensive
and technical information about a particular species, visit one of
the web sites from our
Links
page. |
