Pronounced (approximate): yoo-ON-ih-mus ah-LAY-tus
Opposite oval leaves often turn vivid red in autumn. Older twigs usually develop corky ridges or wings.
Winged Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus): field photograph. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Celastraceae
Life cycle Perennial woody
Blooms May – June
Height 6 to 12 feet
Habitat part shade, shade, sun; disturbed soil; woods, thickets, fields, yards, gardens
Common names: Winged Burning Bush
Bloom timing varies with latitude, weather and local conditions.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
part shade, shade, sun; disturbed soil; woods, thickets, fields, yards, gardens. Flowering season: May – June.
Autumn color alone is not diagnostic. Compare corky twig wings, flowers and fruits with other spindle-trees.
Opposite oval leaves often turn vivid red in autumn.
Older twigs usually develop corky ridges or wings.
Small greenish flowers precede capsules with orange-covered seeds. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
8 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Introduced in North America; native to Asia.
Reported U.S. distribution
AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV
Includes native and introduced state records where listed; a state record does not imply occurrence in every county.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Winged Burning Bush in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.