Euonymus that are native to Ohio are deciduous shrubs or small trees. There are also evergreen forms used in the landscape. Twigs are often four-angled. Buds are small with imbricate scales. Leaves are opposite and toothed. Flowers are small and usually perfect. Fruit is a two- to five-celled capsule with seeds enclosed usually in an orange aril, similar to the bittersweet which is closely related.
Euonymus atropurpureus–Wahoo
Wahoo (Burningbush)–Euonymus atropurpureus
Wahoo is native to Ohio and is a deciduous shrub or small tree, growing 10—25 feet high. It is normally found growing in fertile soils and rich woodlands. Wahoo is a beautiful ornamental shrub when grown for fall coloring and the attractive, scarlet fruit. The fruit is reported to be poisonous. There are evergreen forms of euonymus used in the landscape.
Leaves are simple, greenish-yellow, finely toothed, and sharply pointed. Opposite leaves are 11/2—43/4 inches (4—12 cm) long and pubescent (soft hairy) beneath. Fall color is yellow to scarlet and showy. Buds are small with imbricate scales. Branches and twigs are green with white stripes. Twigs are four-angled.
Flowers are brown to purple, small, and borne on slender stalks. Flowers bloom in May and June. Fruit is a four-lobed, fleshy fruit pod that turns a brilliant scarlet color in autumn. When the fruit opens, it exposes the scarlet aril covering the true seed.