Family: Celastraceae
Author: Thunb.
Bibliography: Nova Acta Regiae Soc. Sci. Upsal., ser. 2, 3: 208 (1780)
Year: 1780
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Euonymus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Korea, Japan to Nansei-shoto
Description
The Japanese spindletree, scientifically known as Euonymus japonicus, is a fascinating species belonging to the Celastraceae family. First described by the distinguished botanist Thunberg in 1780, this plant has garnered attention within the botanical community due to its distinct characteristics and wide distribution.
Native to regions stretching from Korea and Japan to the Nansei-shoto islands, the Japanese spindletree thrives in a variety of environments, showcasing its remarkable adaptability. Its evergreen nature makes it a popular choice in horticulture, especially for those seeking to add year-round greenery to gardens and landscapes.
The Japanese spindletree features glossy, dark green leaves that serve as a vibrant backdrop to its seasonal, inconspicuous flowers. Despite their modest appearance, these flowers play a crucial role in the plant’s reproductive cycle, eventually giving way to the distinctive fruit it produces. The fruit, while often understated in garden settings, adds an interesting visual element to the plant’s overall aesthetic.
Culturally significant in many of its native regions, the Japanese spindletree is not just valued for its ornamental qualities. It has been featured in traditional gardens and is often used to create natural hedges and screens, owing to its dense foliage and manageable growth habits. Moreover, its resilience makes it an excellent choice for urban gardening, where it can withstand pollution and varying climatic conditions.
Botanical studies of Euonymus japonicus are well-documented, with the seminal work appearing in “Nova Acta Regiae Societatis Scientiarum Upsaliensis,” a reputable 18th-century scientific journal. Since its documentation, the plant has been the subject of numerous studies focusing on its ecological impact, potential medicinal uses, and role in traditional horticulture practices in East Asia.
In summary, the Japanese spindletree is much more than an evergreen shrub; it is a plant deeply embedded in the ecological and cultural landscapes of its native regions. Its enduring presence in both natural and cultivated settings continues to captivate botanists and horticulturists alike, making it a subject of ongoing interest and admiration.
Common Names
Eng: japanese spindletree, evergreen euonymus, evergreen spindle, spindletree, japanese spindle
Deu: japanisches pfaffenhütchen, japanischer spindelstrauch
Dan: japansk benved
Swe: japansk benved
Nld: kruipkardinaalsmuts
Cym: piswydden fythwyrdd
En: Japanese spindletree, Evergreen euonymus, Evergreen spindle, Spindletree, Japanese Spindle, Japanese spindle tree
Da: Japansk benved
Nl: Kruipkardinaalsmuts
De: Japanischer Spindelstrauch, Japanisches Pfaffenhütchen
Ja: Masaki
Pt-br: Evônimo-do-Japão
Sv: Japansk benved
Cy: Piswydden Fythwyrdd
Synonyms
- Euonymus japonicus var. pyramidatus (Carrière)
- Euonymus japonicus var. argenteovariegatus (Regel)
- Euonymus japonicus f. pyramidatus ((Carrière) Rehder)
- Euonymus japonicus var. litoralis (Konta & S.Matsumoto)
- Euonymus japonicus f. aureomarginatus ((Rehder) Rehder)
- Euonymus japonicus var. viridivariegatus (Rehder)
- Euonymus japonicus f. argenteovariegatus ((Regel) Rehder)
- Euonymus japonicus var. aureomarginatus (Rehder)
- Euonymus japonicus var. subinteger (Sugim.)
- Euonymus japonicus aureus-variegatus (E.J.Lowe & W.Howard)
- Euonymus pulchellus (Jacob-Makoy)
- Euonymus japonicus f. microphyllus ((H.Jaeger) Beissn.)
- Euonymus japonicus f. viridivariegatus ((Rehder) Rehder)
- Euonymus japonicus var. microphyllus (H.Jaeger)
- Euonymus japonicus latifolius-albovariegatus (W.Bull ex J.Dix)
- Euonymus japonicus f. macrophyllus ((Regel) Beissn.)
- Euonymus sinensis (Carrière)
- Masakia japonica var. latifolia (Nakai)
- Euonymus variegatus (J.Dix)
- Pragmotessara japonica ((Thunb.) Pierre)
- Euonymus japonicus var. latifolius (André)
- Euonymus japonicus aureovariegatus (J.J.Veitch)
- Euonymus japonicus var. longifolius (Nakai)
- Euonymus japonicus var. macrophyllus (Regel)
- Euonymus japonicus var. radicifer (Nakai)
- Euonymus japonicus f. albomarginatus ((T.Moore) Rehder)
- Euonymus japonicus var. rugosus (Nakai)
- Euonymus japonicus albomarginatus (T.Moore)
- Euonymus japonicus tricolor (Jacob-Makoy)
- Euonymus japonicus var. aureovariegatus (Regel)
- Euonymus japonicus f. aureovariegatus ((Regel) Rehder)
- Euonymus japonicus f. fastigiatus ((Carrière) Rehder)
- Euonymus japonicus f. rugosus ((Nakai) H.Hara)
- Euonymus japonicus var. fastigiatus (Carrière)
- Euonymus pulchellus foliis-variegatis (Pynaert)
- Euonymus yoshinagae (Makino)
- Elaeodendron javanicum (Turcz.)
- Masakia yoshinagae ((Makino) Nakai)
- Masakia japonica ((Thunb.) Nakai)
- Euonymus fortunei var. alticola (Hand.-Mazz.)
Distribution
- Japan (native)
- Korea (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- Cambodia (introduced)
- China North-Central (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Hainan (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Laos (introduced)
- Myanmar (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- Pakistan (introduced)
- Philippines (introduced)
- Portugal (introduced)
- Tadzhikistan (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Thailand (introduced)
- Turkmenistan (introduced)
- Uzbekistan (introduced)
- Vietnam (introduced)
- West Himalaya (introduced)
- Xinjiang (introduced)
Additional Images
Fruit
Taken Dec 10, 2019 by S Gauthier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 6, 2020 by Merce PORTA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 28, 2022 by Camille Maurin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 3, 2022 by Ania Sanches (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Feb 28, 2021 by dana Baker (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Franz Müller (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 2020 by Narváez Estefanía (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 11, 2022 by Lalisa Manoban (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 13, 2021 by Fabrizio de Giova (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Mar 5, 2022 by Seb Le Dé (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 25, 2022 by Regis Garruchet (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 9, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 16, 2019 by Agustín Brito (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Dec 14, 2021 by Rubens Curvelo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 4, 2019 by superb bird (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 29, 2020 by Rusty Purple (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 9, 2019 by Hervé Groléas (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 21, 2020 by Paluzo Fernández vanessa (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2022 by Terri Kittrell (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 17, 2022 by Jérôme Torregrossa (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 2, 2022 by despvosk (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 1, 2020 by Gail Cropley (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Sep 2, 2020 by Nina Kuijer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 12, 2020 by Albert (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 29, 2020 by Reyes Ivan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 29, 2020 by Reyes Ivan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2020 by lsusr lsusr (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7102937)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:160944-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Euonymus japonicus Thunb.)
Specifications
Growth form>: Stoloniferous
Growth habit>: Shrub, Tree
Growth rate>: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 5.0