Euonymus atropurpureus (u-on’-uh-mus at-ro-pur-pu’-re-us)
Family: Celastraceae, Bittersweet

Key Steps

• 1a – Opposite leaf arrangement on stem — go to 2
  • 2a – Leaf simple — go to 3
    • 3b – Leaves are unlobed — go to 11
      • 11b – Leaf margins finely serrated — go to 12
        • 12b – No thorn at end of stem — go to 13
          • 13a – Leaf hairy (pubescent) underneath, fruit is a crimson capsule with brown and scarlet seeds — Eastern Wahoo

Description

Leaf: Oval, long pointed tip, broadest from base to middle. Hairy beneath. Up to 5 inches long. Finely toothed

Bud: Small, green tinged with red. Hugs the stem. Broad at base, pointed tip. 5-6 scales.

Leaf Scar: Half round, 1 large bundle scar.

Stem: May be slightly 4 angled (squarish). Green, turning brown.

Pith: White, solid.

Flower: Dark purple, 4 petals, 6-18 flowered clusters in leaf axils. Blooms in May.

Fruit: 4-lobed capsule, similar to a Turkish cap, reddish-purple, drooping. Brown seed, red aril.

Habit: Small ornamental. Wide, flat-topped canopy. 10-15 feet tall.

Note: Leaves, fruits, and bark are extremely poisonous.

Resources

• Identifying Broadleaf Flowering Trees and Shrubs, CMG GardenNotes #173
• List of trees in this key
• Glossary of Terms
• Front Range Tree Recommendation List
• Online CSU Extension publications on Tree and Shrub Selection