Japanese Spindle Tree Euonymus japonicus
Other 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, woody, broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree in the Celastraceae (bittersweet) family. It typically grows 10 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide, but if left alone it can reach 26 feet in height. The plant is native to Korea and Japan to Nansei-shoto. It can be found in forest or in natural areas in mixed deciduous forests and low woodlands, and especially near the sea in Japan.
Japanese euonymus 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 will grow in most soils, including clay, but does not do well in wet conditions. It is black walnut, drought, and moderately salt spray tolerant, and can withstand heavy pruning. Propagate by seed or stem cutting.
This plant makes an excellent hedge or border. Site it in a naturalized area or woodland, or in an Asian or drought-tolerant garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 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. It can also become weedy in disturbed areas around houses and buildings.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- 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:
- 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. Variegated cultivars have a tendency to revert to green.
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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
