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Woody > Euonymus > Euonymus atropurpurea > Euonymus atropurpurea var. atropurpureus

Euonymus atropurpurea

var. atropurpureus


Eastern Wahoo




Origin:  Native to Eastern North America, Maine to Ontario, North Dakota, Florida and Texas.
Family
Celastraceae
Genus
Euonymus
Species
atropurpurea
Category
Woody
Type
Shrub (deciduous)
Variety
atropurpureus
USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 7
Canadian Hardiness Zone
4b - 6a
RHS Hardiness Zone
H7
Height
7 m
Spread
6 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
MayJune
Landscape
As an informal hedge or screen.
Cultivation
Well drained soil, in full sun to part shade. Will tolerate a wide range of soils but will not tolerate moist or poorly drained soil. Prefers a pH of 6.8-7.2.
Shape
Irregular and rounded to broad-headed.
Growth
Medium
Pests
Susceptible to scale, powder mildew, crown gaul, cercospora leaf spot and anthracnose.
Habitat
Riverbanks, woodland borders, mountain wooded slopes, small openings in wooded areas and thickets.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Small and appressed with 5 to 6 scales.
Leaf Description
Opposite leaves, ovate to narrowly ovate and finely serrated or crenate.
Flower Description
Flowers are 8 mm, consists of 4 petals, sepals and 4 short stamens with anthers. Oval in shape.
Fruit Description
1.5 cm diameter capsule and 4 lobed crimson glabrous.
Colour Description
Foliage is a nice vibrant green but in autumn turn a yellowish-red. The bark is greyish-green with reddish-brown streaks smooth and slightly scaly. The seed is brown with a scarlet aril.
Texture Description
Smooth to slightly scaly.
Notable Specimens
Ska-nah- doht Iroquoian Village, Melbourne Ontario, Canada.
Propagation
Seeds requires 8-12 weeks of warmth followed by 8-16 weeks of cold stratification. When large enough place in individual pots and move to greenhouse for first winter. Place them in their permanent positions in spring/ early summer.
Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer)
The bark, leaves and fruit were previously used for a variety of medicinal purposes by First Nations People such as eye lotion, a poultice for facial sores and for gynecological conditions: now considered poisonous.
References
Nelson G, Earle C, Spellenberg R (2014) Trees of Eastern North America, New Jersey, Princeton University Press. Dirr, M. (1975, Revised 1977,1983,1990,1998,2009) Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. Champaign Illinois: Stipes Publishing.
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