Euonymus japonicus, especially in the cultivated condition, is very similar to Euonymus fortunei., but differs by having an erect habit vs. climbing or procumbent in Euonymus fortunei. The name Euonymus japonicus was mistakenly used in the Flora Malesiana ((Fl. Males., Ser. 1, Spermat. 6: 252. 1963) to represent the taxa in south and southeast Asia; however, it is Euonymus fortunei that is native to this region, while Euonymus japonicus is only cultivated in the area[].

Common Name: Japanese Spindle Tree

General Information

Euonymus japonicus is an erect, much-branched, evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 7 metres tall[, ].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use, mainly as a medicine. An extract from the leaves is an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations, and the plant has been cultivated in Russia and Spain for the latex contained in the root[, ]. A very ornamental plant with attractive, brightly coloured fruit and often with variegated foliage, it is often grown as a hedge[, ]. There are a number of named varieties[].

Known Hazards

The seed is probably poisonous, other parts of the plant may also be poisonous[].
We have seen no other specific reports of toxicity for this species, but there is a report in the Flora of the USSR Volume 14 that all parts of the plants in this genus are more or less poisonous[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Japan, Korea. Locally naturalized in S. Europe.

Habitat

Slopes in thickets and woods, especially near the sea[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	4.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the warm temperate zone, though often cultivated in the tropics as an ornamental, where it is found at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 12 - 20°c, but can tolerate 4 - 28°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -10°c[]. The plant prefers night temperatures of 4 - 12°c and day temperatures of 19°c or lower[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 700 - 1,300mm, but tolerates 500 - 1,500mm[].
Grows best in a suny position, tolerating some shade but not fruiting well in such a position[]. It is particularly suited to dry shaded areas[]. Thrives in almost any soil, including chalk and sandy soils[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a well-drained loamy soil[]. The plant is best grown in a dry soil and an open position when being grown for its latex[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 6.5[]. Plants are very tolerant of maritime exposure, succeeding even when grown on the sea shore[], but they can be killed by cold drying winds[, ].
Plants are more likely to succumb to the cold if they are regularly trimmed (this exposes young growth to the cold), this regular trimming also leads to mildew especially when plants are growing in very dry ground[].
Plants are often slow to get established.
Plants can be susceptible to attacks by caterpillars[] and are often damaged during the flowering season[]. They are also a host of the sugar beet fly[].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - boiled[, , ]. The old leaves are powdered and used to colour food[, , ]. These reports should be treated with some caution due to the report of toxicity - see above.

Medicinal

The stem bark is antirheumatic, diuretic and tonic[].

The leaf is used in cases of difficult delivery[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be grown as a hedge, it is very tolerant of trimming and succeeds even in severe maritime exposure[, , , ].

Other Uses

Roots and stems yield up to 7% gutta-percha, a non elastic rubber used as an electrical insulator and in making plastics etc[, , ].

An extract of the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an emollient and hair conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. Stored seed requires 3 months cold stratification, so should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame[]. Seed can take 18 months to germinate[]. 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 - 7cm long taken at a node or with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Very easy[].
Cuttings of mature wood, early autumn in a frame78, ]. Cuttings will root readily at any time of the year if given bottom heat[].
Root cuttings in winter.