Winged spindle tree, Cork bush, Winged Euonymus, Burning bush
Euonymus alatus

Family: Celastraceae

What it is like

A shrub 1.8-2.2 m tall and spreading 2.5-3 m wide. The branches have corky wings. There is a dense coverage of leaves. The leaves are opposite or almost so and 3-7 cm long. They are often widest above the middle. They taper to the base and have fine teeth along the edge. The leaves turn pink and crimson in the autumn. The flowers are small and green. They occur in sprays. The fruit are purple-red. The fruit burst open to reveal orange-coated seeds.

There are about 130-175 Euonymus species. It can be invasive.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is frost hardy. In China it grows from sea level to 2,700 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 3-9. Arboretum Tasmania. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Canada, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, North America, Russia, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

Caution: The young shoots are eaten in spring. The stem is used to make a tea drink.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, stem - tea, caution

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bamu, Bashu, Hwasalnamu

Synonyms

Celastrus alatus Thunb.; and several others