Euonymus phellomanus seed
LATIN NAME: EUONYMUS PHELLOMANUS
COMMON NAME: Corkwing Euonymus, Cork-Barked Spindle
The corkwing euonymus is a shrub with a hidden winter beauty. It grows as a sturdy, deciduous shrub or small tree, usually two or three metres tall, with slender branches that are unusual in having four prominent, corky ridges running along them, like soft, winged bark, which is how the plant gets its name. In summer it carries small, inconspicuous flowers, and these are followed in autumn by an eye-catching display: small, four-lobed fruits that split open to reveal glossy orange seeds hanging on thin threads, while at the same time the leaves turn rich shades of red and pink before falling, and the corky stems and bright orange fruits give the bare shrub a striking winter look. It is a member of the spindle family, native to central and western China, where it grows in scrub and open woodland.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
The corkwing euonymus has a genuine place in ornamental and botanical research. The corky winged stems are an unusual feature that the botanists study, examining how and why some euonymus species develop these cork ridges, and the shrub is valued in horticultural research for its winter interest, its colourful fruits and its adaptability. The genus Euonymus has also been studied for its chemistry, including the compounds in the bark and the seeds, some of which have drawn interest for their biological activity, and the plants are known to be poisonous to humans and livestock if eaten, which is well documented in the plant-safety studies. In ecology, the bright orange fruits are noted for attracting the birds, which spread the seeds. For a shrub of such modest summer appearance, the corkwing euonymus has a steady and interesting record of research.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
To grow the Corkwing Euonymus from seed, ecologically, the corkwing euonymus is a valuable shrub of the garden. Its autumn fruits feed the birds and the small mammals, its dense growth gives shelter and nesting sites, and its corky, ornamental stems provide interest through the winter months, while the bark, the leaves and the seeds of the euonymus are known to be poisonous if eaten, and the plant is best kept for the eyes rather than the table. Its economic value lies mainly in ornamental horticulture: it is grown in the gardens and the collections for its unusual corky bark, its autumn colour and its bright fruits, and it has a respected place in the nursery trade for the connoisseurs of the winter-interest plants, while the wood of the related euonymus species has been used for fine turnings and spindles, which is how the spindle family got its name. To raise the corkwing euonymus, keep the seeds in damp, cold storage for a while, then sow them in pots of moist, free-draining compost, keep them lightly watered, and grow the little shrubs on in a sheltered spot.
keep the seeds in damp, cold storage for a while, then sow the young euonymus in pots of moist, free-draining compost, keep them lightly watered, and grow the little shrubs on in a sheltered spot.
LATIN NAME: Euonymus phellomanus
COMMON NAME: Corkwing Euonymus, Cork-barked Spindle
Corkwing euonymus is a shrub with a hidden winter beauty. It grows as a sturdy, deciduous shrub or small tree, usually two or three metres tall, with slender branches that are unusual in having four prominent, corky ridges running along them, like soft, winged bark, which is how the plant gets its name. In summer it carries small, inconspicuous flowers, and these are followed in autumn by an eye-catching display: small, four-lobed fruits that split open to reveal glossy orange seeds hanging on thin threads. At the same time the leaves turn rich shades of red and pink before falling, and the corky stems and bright orange fruits give the bare shrub a striking winter look.
Corkwing euonymus belongs to the spindle family, Celastraceae, and it is native to central and western China, where it grows in scrub and open woodland. It is a hardy, adaptable shrub that thrives in sun or light shade and in most soils, and it is valued by gardeners for its unusual corky bark and its colourful autumn fruits.
Positive & Encouraging Seed Germination Guide
Growing corkwing euonymus from seed takes patience, but it is a very rewarding shrub to raise. The seeds sit inside the orange fruits, and they need a period of cold, moist conditions to germinate, so collect the fruits in autumn, clean off the flesh, and keep the seeds cool and damp for a few months, or sow them in pots and leave them outdoors through winter. In spring, bring the pots to a bright spot and keep them moist. Germination can be slow and uneven, with seedlings appearing over several weeks, so be patient. Grow the young shrubs on in pots for a year or two before planting out in a sheltered spot. A corkwing euonymus you have grown from seed will reward you with its corky stems and its brilliant orange autumn fruits for many years.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
Corkwing euonymus has a genuine place in ornamental and botanical research. The corky winged stems are an unusual feature that botanists study, examining how and why some euonymus species develop these cork ridges, and the shrub is valued in horticultural research for its winter interest, its colourful fruits and its adaptability. The genus Euonymus has also been studied for its chemistry, including compounds in the bark and seeds, some of which have drawn interest for their biological activity, and the plants are known to be toxic to humans and livestock if eaten, which is well documented in plant-safety studies. In ecology, the bright orange fruits are noted for attracting birds, which spread the seeds. For a shrub of such modest summer appearance, corkwing euonymus has a steady and interesting record of research.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
Ecologically, corkwing euonymus is a valuable shrub. Its autumn fruits feed birds and small mammals, its dense growth gives shelter and nesting sites, and its corky, ornamental stems provide interest through the winter months.
Its economic value lies mainly in ornamental horticulture. It is grown in gardens and collections for its unusual corky bark, its autumn colour and its bright fruits, and it has a respected place in the nursery trade for connoisseurs of winter-interest plants. The wood of related euonymus species has been used for fine turnings and spindles, which is how the spindle family got its name. For a grower, corkwing euonymus is a distinctive, sought-after shrub, and for a gardener it brings structure and colour to the garden in every season.
Uses: medicinal, ornamental