Western Burning Bush
(Euonymus occidentalis)
Western Burning Bush (Euonymus occidentalis)
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Don Loarie
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Don Loarie
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Don Loarie | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Don Loarie | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2016-06-25T13:07:39-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Euonymus occidentalis, commonly known as Western Burning Bush, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to chaparral and mixed evergreen forests of California and Oregon. It typically grows to heights of 2 to 6 meters with a similar spread. The plant features thin, green, oval-shaped leaves that are 3 to 14 centimeters long, sometimes with margins rolled under. The Western Burning Bush produces an inflorescence with up to five small flowers on a long peduncle. Each flower has five rounded petals, pink to brown and white mottled, surrounding a central nectar disc with five nubs. Notably, the fruit is a rounded, three-lobed capsule that opens to reveal seeds each encased in a bright red aril, which are particularly attractive to birds and other wildlife.
This species is valued for its unique fruit display and the ornamental quality of its arils. It is used in native plant gardens, as a specimen plant, or for natural landscaping. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. Western Burning Bush prefers full sun to part shade and adapts to a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it can tolerate medium amounts of water, it is also quite drought-resistant. Gardeners should be aware that it can be susceptible to scale insects and fungal diseases.CC BY-SA 4.0
This species is valued for its unique fruit display and the ornamental quality of its arils. It is used in native plant gardens, as a specimen plant, or for natural landscaping. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. Western Burning Bush prefers full sun to part shade and adapts to a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it can tolerate medium amounts of water, it is also quite drought-resistant. Gardeners should be aware that it can be susceptible to scale insects and fungal diseases.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 6-20 feet
- Width: 7-12 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Green, Brown
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant
Natural Habitat
Chaparral and mixed evergreen forests
Other Names
Common Names: Western Burningbush , Western Wahoo , Western Burning-Bush , Western Euonymus , Western Strawberry-Bush , Fusain Occidental
Scientific Names: Euonymus occidentalis , Euonymus occidentale , Euonymus acuminatus , Euonymus cuneatus
GBIF Accepted Name: Euonymus occidentalis Nutt. ex Torr.