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.
![](https://dendro.ohioplants.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/winged-wahoo-750x563.jpg)
winged burning bush
It’s called “burningbush,” after its brilliant fall foliage.
![](https://dendro.ohioplants.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/burningbush-burning-750x563.jpg)
Burningbush burning. October 27, 2003, Hocking County OH.
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.
![](https://dendro.ohioplants.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/running-strawberry-bush_-750x563.jpg)
running strawberry-bush foliage
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.
![](https://dendro.ohioplants.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/running-strawberry-bush-fruits-750x563.jpg)
running strawberry-bush fruits at Stratford
October 17, 2022)