Woody Plants of Ohio

burningbush (Euonymus alatus)
Celastraceae, the staff-tree family

How to recognize winged burning bush. This is a nonnative shrub with oppositely arranged leaves that are elliptic, long-pointed, and finely serrate. The most distinctive feature is the elaborately winged stems.

It’s called “burningbush,” after its brilliant fall foliage.

Ooh ooh. I have a question!

Are there any native members of the genus Euonymus in Ohio?

Yes, there are three. One of them, running strawberry-bush, can be seen growing at Stratford just beneath the invasive winged burning bush. It is a prostrate woody vine with obovate leaves. 

The fruits are amazing! They are bumpy pink capsules bursting open to reveal a few large seeds, each covered with an red-orange seed coat.

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