ABOUT THIS PLANT
Winged Euonymous, also called Burning Bush, was first imported to the United States in the 1860's. It is native to Japan, Asia, and Central China. It first escaped cultivation in the 1970's and became widespread. In 2009 Winged euonymous was put on the Massachusetts list of Prohibited Plants, making it illegal to sell. Unfortunately, it is still widely plants in yards and gardens.
HOW TO IDENTIFY
Leaf: The leaves are opposite, paired, and toothed. The leaves are ovular, 3-5 inches in length and turn bright red in fall..
Fruit/Flower: The flower is four petaled and light green. The fruit is a bright red berry.
Growth form: Winged Euonymous grows as a single or mult-stem shrub. It can grow up to 15'. The stem and branches have unmistakable woody, wing-like structures.
LIFE HISTORY
Flowering and Fruiting period: Flowers blossom in early spring. Berries appear in summer and persist until early fall.
Winged Euonymous is indigenous to Northeastern Asia, Japan, and central China. It establishes large seed banks in shady, as well as partial and high sunlight areas. Each plant produces thousands of seeds each season. The seeds are widely distributed by wildlife due the attractive red berries.
REMOVAL
Full root removal is the recommended method of removal. Burning Bush can regrow from twigs and branch fragments. To avoid vegetative resprouting, clean your worksites and tools thoroughly before disposing of the plant. Chipping or burning are effective methods of disposal.
RESOURCES
https://extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/burning-bush
https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/shrub/euoala/all.html
https://extension.psu.edu/burning-bush