Burning Bush
Burning bush after color change.
Additional Images
Common Name: Burning Bush
Scientific Name: Euonymus alatus
Origin: Central China and Japan
Description
Burning bush is an ornamental woody shrub that is easily recognized by its vibrant red to purple fall foliage and can reach up to 15 feet in height. Its leaves are dark green in the spring and summer, opposite, elliptic in shape and have finely serrate margins. The stems of burning bush have distinct, corky ridges. Its flowers are small and yellowish green, and produce reddish-orange fruits in the fall.
Habitat
Burning bush is a frequent invader of forests, pastures and roadsides. It tolerates both full sun and full shade, and is adaptable to a wide variety of soil types including those with high salinity levels.
Threat
This species often escapes cultivation and displaces native species. Its resistance to deer browse may encourage increased browsing on native plants. Burning bush has a very shallow, fibrous root system that increase rates of erosion.
Management
Small shrubs and infestations can be removed manually. Larger shrubs and infestations can be treated with herbicide using cut-stump, foliar or basal bark applications.
Regional Distribution
Early Detection
WNY PRISM Priority
Tier 2 – Eradication
NYS Invasive Species Tiers Chart – Tier Definitions
* This species may be underreported in WNY PRISM. If you see burning bush outside of a tended landscape setting, please report to iMapInvasives.*
Pathways
Burning bush was introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant. It spreads by seed and by vegetative means.
Burning bush is a regulated species in New York State – for more information on Prohibited and Regulated Species, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/99141.html.
Native Alternatives
Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
American Cranberry Bush (Viburnum trilobum)
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
Additional Resources
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
This map shows confirmed observations (green points) submitted to the NYS Invasive Species Database. Absence of data does not necessarily mean absence of the species at that site, but that it has not been reported there. For more information, please visit iMapInvasives.
