Burning-bush Euonymus, Spindle tree, Eastern wahoo, Indian arrow-wood
Euonymus atropurpureus

Family: Celastraceae

What it is like

A small deciduous tree. It grows up to 2.4-6 m high. It spreads 1 m wide. The bark is greenish-grey streaked with reddish-brown. The leaves are 5-12 cm long and oval. They have a long point. The leaf stalk is about 1 cm long. They turn red in autumn. The flower are small and purplish. The fruit are capsules about 10-14 mm across. They have 4 prominent lobes. These split to reveal the seeds. There are 4 seeds. Each seed is enclosed in a bright orange-red fleshy aril or seed layer. The fruit turn pink when ripe.

There are about 175 Euonymus species. The bark is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It grows along streams and flood plains. It grows in moist woodlands. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Canada, Europe, India, North America, USA

How it is used for food

CAUTION: All parts are harmful if eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed or by cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Wahoo

Synonyms

Euonymus caroliniensis Marshall; and others