Euonymus japonicus
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-ON-ih-mus juh-PON-ih-kus
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Japanese euonymus is a dense, oval, evergreen shrub or small tree commonly used as a landscape plant. It typically grows to 15 feet high, but left alone it can reach 26 feet. It can be found in forest or natural areas in mixed deciduous forests and low woodlands, but can become weedy in disturbed areas around houses and buildings. In its native Japan, it is often found on slopes, in thickets and woods, and especially near the sea. It is drought and moderately salt spray tolerant, and can withstand heavy pruning.
The plant is in leaf year round and produces small, non-ornamental blossoms in spring and early summer. The seeds are considered probably poisonous, while the rest of the plant may be poisonous if ingested in large quantities. It tolerates full sun and heavy shade, but does best in sun-dappled conditions with some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. It is pH adaptable and salt tolerant. It will grow in most soils, including clay, but does not do well in wet conditions. It makes an excellent hedge that can tolerate heavy pruning.
Diseases and Insect Pests:
It is susceptible to euonymus scale and is frequently damaged by deer. Powdery mildew can be a problem, as can mites, leaf miners, aphids, mealybugs and crown gall. Additional diseases which may appear include witches’ broom, stem dieback, and fungal leaf spots. Plants can be susceptible to attacks by caterpillars and are often damaged during the flowering season
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Garden Treasures Deck Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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'Aureomarginatus'
- 'Aureus'
- 'Green Spire'
Narrow, columnar selection, up to 8 feet tall with a 2 foot spread, densely covered in dark green, glossy leaves. - 'Microphyllus'
dwarf variety, used for edging, border (2 to 3' height) - 'Microphyllus Pulchellus'
Green leaves with yellow margins that bleed into the green center. - 'Microphyllus Variegatus'
Green leaves with white margins. - 'Rykukjo'
Miniature cultivar (leaves to 1/2 long), dense foliage on 6 to 8 inch stems.
Variegated leaves with yellow margins. 5 to 10 feet tall. - 'Aureus'
- 'Aureomarginatus', 'Aureus', 'Green Spire', 'Microphyllus', 'Microphyllus Pulchellus', 'Microphyllus Variegatus', 'Rykukjo'
- Tags:










- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
-
'Aureomarginatus'
- 'Aureus'
- 'Green Spire'
Narrow, columnar selection, up to 8 feet tall with a 2 foot spread, densely covered in dark green, glossy leaves. - 'Microphyllus'
dwarf variety, used for edging, border (2 to 3' height) - 'Microphyllus Pulchellus'
Green leaves with yellow margins that bleed into the green center. - 'Microphyllus Variegatus'
Green leaves with white margins. - 'Rykukjo'
Miniature cultivar (leaves to 1/2 long), dense foliage on 6 to 8 inch stems.
Variegated leaves with yellow margins. 5 to 10 feet tall. - 'Aureus'
- 'Aureomarginatus', 'Aureus', 'Green Spire', 'Microphyllus', 'Microphyllus Pulchellus', 'Microphyllus Variegatus', 'Rykukjo'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euonymus
- Species:
- japonicus
- Family:
- Celastraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Korea, Japan to Nansei-shoto
- Distribution:
- Naturalized in southern Europe.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought tolerant, slightly salt tolerant
- Edibility:
- Toxic if eaten in large quantities.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Mounding
- Oval
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- fruits in early fall, non-ornamental; variegated forms have a tendency to revert to green. Fruit is a reddish, pink, ivory to yellow capsule, splitting and showing orange-red seeds. The 4-valved capsule is globose, pink, 1/3 of an inch long with white seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, 4-parted flowers in greenish maroon blossom in early summer. Noted for its vinegary smell. Axillary cymes (adult form).
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cuneate
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Waxy, lustrous, dark green leaves; thin and leathery, 1 to 3 inches long are produced year round. Acute, cuneate, serrulate, lustrous dark green above and lighter below, thinly coriaceous.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stem has small dark glandular dot on each side petiole.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Drought
- Salt
- Problems:
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, chills, coma, and convulsions when consumed in large quantities.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Unidentified, possibly a glycoside
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems