Euonymus alatus 'Compactus'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- Euonymus alatus 'Compactus'
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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This shrub is a relatively more compact cultivar of Euonymus alatus or Burning Bush. It is important to verify that the 'compactus' part of the plant name is present to obtain the 10 foot tall version rather than the 20 foot tall Euonymous alata. Its leaves offer bright red color in the fall. An even more compact cultivar is Euonymus Rudy ‘Haag’ which is 3 to 5 feet.
This compact shrub has a round shape, densely and attractively packed with foliage. The flowers are small and inconspicuous which develop into reddish-purple, 6 to 8 mm oval berries in the fall.
No part of this plant, including the fruits, should be eaten as large quantities are poisonous especially to children but to any age.
This deciduous shrub can be invasive if planted in less well tended native or similar gardens where it can spread into surrounding roadside or woodland areas. This is more likely in western NC. It grows in a variety of soils.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euonymus
- Species:
- alatus
- Family:
- Celastraceae
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds eat berries in fall
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 11 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 11 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Inconspicuous, small, 6-8 mm, 4 petals, yellow-green.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenulate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Poisonous through ingestion. Symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, weakness, chills, coma. TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Ingesting large amounts of any part of the plant can result in poisoning. CHILDREN may be attracted to fruits in fall. No part of this plant is edible, including seeds.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Unidentified, possibly a glycoside
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
