Winterberry Euonymus Euonymus maackii
Previously known as:
- Euonymus bungeanus
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-ON-ih-mus MAK-ee-eye
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Winterberry Euonymus is a winter hardy semi-evergreen that can be grown as a shrub with significant pruning, or as a small tree. At maturity it can reach a height and width of 25 feet, therefore, the location should accommodate the mature size. In its native Asia, it is often found in shrubby formations in river valleys, coastal plains, and alluvial sands. In cultivation, it is often used as a specimen or a windbreak on hillsides, large native area, or commercial or industrial parks. Fall leaf colors may be muted, depending on location but are often in the yellow brown range. Tree offshoots can invade into undesirable areas, especially if near roadsides or woodlands and the tree is unattended. The tree is semi-evergreen because leaf drop is late and often only a few weeks before spring leaves begin. This is one of the most common species in the genus. Its growth is quite variable under both cultivated and wild conditions.
The plant will grow well in most soils with full sun or partial shade, but it does not tolerate wet conditions.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Euonymus scale is a problem with most species of this plant.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.
- 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:
- maackii
- Family:
- Celastraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South East Siberia to China, Korea, and Japan.
- Distribution:
- Throughout south, southeast
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds
- Edibility:
- Although toxicity has not been recorded for this particular species, a number of plants in this genus are poisonous and so caution is advised. Illness results only after eating large quantities of any part of the shrub.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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)
- 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
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The capsule holding the berry is pink and seeds are 4 lobed and bright red.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flower is small and inconspicuous (0.3 of an inch) in yellowish-green, blooming in mid-spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenulate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaf is 2 to 4 inches long and spherical in shape. It is a light to medium green and turns color in the fall to pink, yellow, brown, or sometimes red.
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Bark:
- Bark Description:
- High corky ridges.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Description:
- branches and twigs terete, sturdy, green to light green.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, weakness, chills, and coma. Ingesting large amounts of any part of the plant is toxic and 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:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
