Euonymus alatus (Winged Burning-bush)

Plant Info
Also known as: Winged Euonymus, Winged Spindle-tree
Genus:Euonymus
Family:Celastraceae (Staff-tree)
Life cycle:perennial woody
Origin:Asia
Status:
  • Invasive - ERADICATE!
  • Prohibited or Restricted species
Habitat:part shade, shade, sun; disturbed soil; woods, thickets, fields, yards, gardens
Bloom season:May - June
Plant height:6 to 12 feet
Wetland Indicator Status:none
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge):Minnesota county distribution map
National distribution (click map to enlarge):National distribution map

Pick an image for a larger view. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower: Flower shape: 4-petals Cluster type: panicle

[photo of flowers] Branching clusters arising from leaf axils of the lateral branchlets along 1-year-old stems, with 3 stalked flowers at the tip of each cluster branch. Flowers are ¼ to 1/3 inch across, pale yellow to greenish with 4 rounded petals. In the center is a disc-shaped green ovary surrounded by 4 short, yellow stamens. Behind the flower are 4 short sepals. Stalks and sepals are hairless.

Leaves and stems: Leaf attachment: opposite Leaf type: simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are simple and opposite or nearly so, 1 to 3 inches long, ¾ to 1½ inches wide, somewhat variable in shape but usually widest at or above the middle, tapering or wedge-shaped at the base, the tip pointed or tapering to a sharp point, often abruptly so. Surfaces are hairless, edges are finely serrated, the teeth rounded to pointed or even hooked. Stalks are very short and hairless. Leaves turn bright red in fall.

[photo of winged stems and winter buds] New branchlets are weakly 4-sided, green and hairless, developing broad, reddish, corky wings along at least 2 of the angles. The wings eventually break off. Older branches have thin, gray-brown bark that splits, giving a striped appearance with the green inner tissue. Buds are cone-shaped with a sharply pointed tip.

[photo of mature trunk] The inner bark turns light brown, contrasting with the darker gray-brown outer bark. Stems are single or multiple from the base, branches are numerous and spreading, the shrub often as wide as or wider than tall.

Fruit: Fruit type: capsule/pod

[photo of fruit] Fruit is a capsule about ½ inch across, initially green, turning pinkish and maturing to red, typically 4-lobed but not all lobes may develop. When ripe, the capsule splits open revealing 1 to 4 fleshy, bright red fruits called arils, each containing 2 seeds.

Notes:

Winged Burning-bush was introduced to North America as an ornamental in the 1860s and has been widely planted in eastern and midwestern landscapes. It adapts to a variety of soil conditions, is shade and salt tolerant, and, like Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), has escaped cultivation and become invasive, particularly in and around woodlands. While slow-growing, it produces a dense mat of roots and copious amounts of fruit, much of which drops under the mother tree and germinates there, creating a dense thicket where nothing else can grow. Birds that consume the fruits can start new populations far from the mother tree, and deer don't eat it and further deplete the native flora instead. Many of the images on this page were taken at a site where a single shrub was planted years ago but the woods at the back of the property are now being overrun by its offspring, giving the Buckthorn a run for its money.

Winged Burning-bush has been listed as a prohibited invasive species in a number of states, including Wisconsin, who had the foresight to ban its further sale before it became as bad as Buckthorn. Minnesota finally followed Wisconsin's lead and designated it a restricted species in 2020, meaning it can't be propagated, sold or transported in the state, but its eradication isn't feasible with existing policies and practices. Considering nearly all species currently designated for eradication will never be eradicated in the state, I guess this is the best we can hope for. A sterile variety has been developed, which is supposed to once again make Winged Burning-bush acceptable to the 20+ states that currently call it invasive, but caution is advised since such varieties have been known to revert to wild types in other species. Here's a thought: why not promote native alternatives instead?

Winged Burning-bush is not likely to be confused with any other species. The winged stems are obvious and unique. It is easy to spot in fall as the bright red leaves persist longer than most other shrubs.

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More photos

Photos by K. Chayka taken in Anoka and Ramsey counties. Photos by Peter M. Dziuk taken in Anoka, Houston and Ramsey counties.

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Nancy B - Carleton College Arboretum, Rice and Dakota Countys
on: 2016-11-21 10:51:06

We find this plant scattered throughout the woodlands of the Carleton Arboretum - likely spreading from nearby landscape plants.

Posted by: Doug M - Harris Township, south of Grand Rapids, Itasca County
on: 2017-05-17 13:41:55

Found a young plant growing in the woods near our house.

Posted by: Richard S
on: 2017-05-31 13:47:47

There is also a native species -- Eastern Wahoo (euonymus atropurperus) that is a U.S. native. I coordinate invasive removal as a volunteer in two preserves one of which has a heavy infestation of the non-native. We used to pull all of the plants. Now we wait until they are more mature and the wings on the invasive are much more pronounced. Pulling the non-native out by the roots is a very effective control.

Posted by: Buffy - Princeton
on: 2020-10-07 01:16:26

I think I have this growing all over my back yard. I cut so much down and this year it went crazy. This grows fast though. Mine doesn't turn red but it sure looks the same.

Posted by: Bill - Grant
on: 2020-10-08 20:10:09

After focusing a couple of years on buckthorn, this is now a bigger problem. So, many little plants all over. It's pretty but got to go or will overrun my place.

Posted by: Ben Bullard - Chaska - Carver County
on: 2021-02-20 16:56:24

An update to the noxious weed status the MN DNR website: "Winged burning bush is a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Specially Regulated Plant. The special regulation is that there is a three-year production phase-out period during 2020 through 2022, after which sale of this species will be prohibited and the species will be listed as Restricted Noxious Weed in 2023."

Posted by: Nowell - Winona
on: 2023-01-09 18:18:39

When I go to cut this plant at the bottom - and the flow of juices is still going downward so to absorb the poison applied I would like to know for sure the poison is being absorbed - going downward and not flowing upward which would be warmer months. What time frame do I have to cut and treat the stump vs folliar spray and waiting for leaves? Thank you!!!

Posted by: K Chayka
on: 2023-01-09 19:56:29

Nowell, Minnesota Wildflowers is not expert in invasive species control, but a web search suggests summer as the best time for cut stump treatment.

Posted by: Hedera - Otter Tail Co, Battle Lake
on: 2023-11-05 06:19:50

Found 3 small (about 12 inches or less) plants, while cutting and treating buckthorn (Nov. 4, 2023) on the north side of West Battle Lake. Plants had winged stems and leaves were still green. The extreme difference in morphology was startling!

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