Abundantly planted, this shrub native to China, Japan, and Korea is beginning to escape from cultivation into urban/suburban woodlands in North Carolina. It is a problem invasive exotic in the northeastern US and may become a problem here, too. Similar to the native Euonymus americanus, but shorter in stature, more compact, and frequently with distinctively winged stems. The common name "Burning Bush" refers to the brilliant red fall color. Other common names include Winged Euonymus and Winged Spindletree.

Duke University campus, Durham, NC 4/30/07.

The thin tan-colored corky wings contrast strongly with the green stems.

Durham, NC 4/30/07.