Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)

Key Identification Features

Description

Burning Bush is a deciduous shrub that may grow up to 15 feet tall. The foliage is dark green throughout the spring and summer and then transitions to a dark red or purple in the fall. These leaves are oppositely arranged along the stem, and have an elliptic shape with finely serrate margins. The stems have flappy-looking, corky ridges. The flowers are small and have a yellowish green color. Produced in the fall, the fruit is reddish orange.

Native Range

Burning bush is native to northeastern Asia, central China and Japan. It arrived in the United States around 1860 as an ornamental plant. It is still sold as an ornamental today.

Habitat and Dispersion

Burning Bush is a very tolerant invasive, as it can survive in either full sun or full shade. It also can tolerate a variety of soil types, even those with high salinity. This range of conditions allows the invasive plant to become established in forests, pastures, or roadside environments. Burning Bush spreads both vegetatively and by bird seed dispersal.

Best Management Practices

Best management for Burning Bush depends on the size of the established area. For smaller infestations, manual removal can be effective- with careful attention to removing all root mass. Herbicide is effective for larger sites, via cut-stump, foliar or basal bark applications.

Additional Resources