Euonymus alatus subsp. apterus

Euonymus alatus, known variously as burning bush, winged euonymus, winged spindle, and winged spindle-tree, is a species of flowering plant in the family Celastraceae, native to central and northern China, Japan, and Korea. It is a popular ornamental plant in gardens and parks due to its bright pink or orange fruit and attractive autumn color: The common name "burning bush" refers to its bright red autumn color. The cultivars 'Compactus' and 'Fire Ball' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Description

A temperate woody plant in the Celastraceae family with winged branches. The fruit and leaves have been used traditionally, though caution is advised.

Traditional Uses

Caution:

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Generally cultivated for its ornamental qualities, attraction to wildlife, and ability to adapt to urban and suburban environments, the shrub commonly is used in foundation planting, hedges, and along highways and commercial strips. Sales across the United States are in the tens of millions of dollars every year. The corky winged stems are used in traditional Chinese and traditional Korean medicine to treat conditions such as cancer, hyperglycemia, and diabetic complications. Chemicals that have been isolated from the plant include flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, lignans, cardenolides, phenolic acids, and alkaloids.

Known Hazards

Caution advised for edible uses of fruit and leaves.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Japan,

Notes

There are about 175 Euonymus species.

References (2)

• Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
• Tent. fl. ussur. 41, 43, t. 7, fig. 2-3. 1861

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