Shrubs or trees 2–10 m. Stems erect; young branches terete, not corky winged. Leaves deciduous; petiole 4–12 mm; blade ovate-elliptic, 2.5–10 × 1.5–3.5 cm, base attenuate to broadly cuneate, margins minutely denticulate, apex acuminate. Inflorescences axillary, 1–7(–15)-flowered. Flowers: sepals 4; petals 4, yellow or white, oblong, 3–4 × 1–2 mm; stamens 4; ovary smooth. Capsules pink, obovoid, 8–10 × 12–15 mm, deeply (2–)4-lobed, rarely only 1 lobe developing, lobes clearly connate, surface smooth. Seeds obovoid, 7–8 × 4–5 mm; aril orange or yellow.

Phenology: Flowering spring–summer; fruiting summer–fall.
Habitat: Roadsides, thickets, woodlands.
Elevation: 0–300 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

N.B., Ont., P.E.I., Que., Ala., Ark., Conn., Ill., Ind., Ky., Maine, Mass., Mich., Miss., Mo., Nebr., N.H., N.J., N.Y., Ohio, Pa., R.I., Tenn., Utah, Vt., Va., Wis., Europe.

Discussion

The leaves of Euonymus europaeus vary greatly in shape and size, especially in cultivated plants. The species was introduced to the flora area as a garden ornamental.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.