Practical
Plants

Euonymus alatus

Winged Spindle Tree

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Euonymus genus in the family Celastraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
2 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, a number of plants in this genus are suspected of being poisonous and so some caution is advised.

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves, boiled[2][4]. The fruit may be edible[2][4]. No further details are given, though we would recommend caution in eating any member of this genus[K]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[8]. The seed contains 20.5% protein, 44.4% fat and 3.9% ash[9]. These reports of edibility should be treated with some caution, see the notes above on toxicity. The flowers are a tea substitute[5][9].

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The stem and branches are alterative, analgesic, anodyne, anthelmintic, anticoagulant, antiphlogistic, antipruritic, astringent blood tonic, carminative, emmenagogue, hypoglycaemic, and purgative[3][5][9][10]. It is used in Korea to treat intestinal worms, suppressed menstruation and cancer[10]. A decoction is used in China in the treatment of 'cold' headache, general body aches, pruritis, irregular menstruation and other gynaecological diseases[3]. Plants contain the anticancer compound dulcitol[9].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Antipruritic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Blood tonic
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

This species can be grown as a hedge, the var. compactus is normally used[11].

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat
Thickets and woods in lowland and mountains all over Japan[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 8 - 12 weeks warm followed by 8 - 16 weeks cold stratification and can then be sown in a cold frame[13][14]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm long taken at a node or with a heel, July/August in a frame. Very easy[8].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Thrives in almost any soil, including chalk[8], it is particularly suited to dry shaded areas[8]. Prefers a well-drained loamy soil[1]. A very ornamental and cold-tolerant plant[1], it tolerate temperatures down to about -25°c[7]. There are some named varieties developed for their ornamental value[6]. 'Compactus' is a more dense growing form for small gardens[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  5. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  7. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

    ↩1↩2

  11. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

    ↩

  12. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

  13. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

  14. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

    ↩

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