Japanese spindle tree, Evergreen spindle tree
Euonymus japonicus
Family: Celastraceae
What it is like
A spreading evergreen shrub. It grows 3-3.5 m high. The leaves are dark shiny green. The flowers are pale greenish. The fruit are pink capsules opening to reveal orange seeds.
There are about 175 Euonymus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate and subtropical plant. It is grown at high altitudes in the tropics. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Central Asia, China, East Timor, Europe, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan (country/location of origin), Korea, Laos, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Slovenia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The young leaves are eaten. The older leaves are powdered and used for colouring for other foods. Caution: The fruit is poisonous.
Edible parts
Leaves, caution
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from tip cuttings or seed.
Its other names
Local names
Dongqing Weimao, Holly Euonymus, Japonska trdoleska, Masaki