Climbing euonymus (Winter creeper)
Euonymus fortunei (Turcs.) Hand.-Mazz.

SOURCE: The following information on this species is taken, in part, from the Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group, Weeds Gone Wild website at http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/factmain.htm. Modifications include additional pictures (from www.invasives.org) and resource information. Check the website links for future updates. The last update for this fact sheet is May 20, 2005.

NATIVE RANGE: China
DESCRIPTION: Climbing euonymus, also known as wintercreeper, Emerald'n Gold, and Gaiety, is an evergreen, clinging vine. It can form a dense groundcover or shrub to 3 feet in height, or climb 40-70 foot high vertical surfaces with the aid of aerial roots. Dark green, shiny, egg-shaped leaves, from 1 - 2 1/2 inches long, with toothed margins and silvery veins, occur in pairs along the stems. Stems are narrow, minutely warty, and have abundant rootlets or trailing roots. Clusters of inconspicuous green-white flowers are produced on a long stalk from June to July and are followed in the autumn by pinkish to red capsules that split open to expose seeds adorned with a fleshy orange seed coat, or aril.

Photos: James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, www.forestryimages.org

ECOLOGICAL THREAT: Traits that make climbing euonymus a desirable ornamental plant, such as its rapid growth, evergreen nature and tolerance of harsh conditions, also make euonymus a threat to natural areas. Climbing euonymus can outcompete native vegetation by depleting soil moisture and nutrients, blocking sunlight, and by forming a dense vegetative mat that impedes the growth of seedlings of native species. Vines on trees continue climbing and can eventually overtop them, covering the leaves and preventing photosynthesis.

DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES: Climbing euonymus is currently scattered throughout the eastern U.S. in populated areas.

HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATES: Climbing euonymus tolerates a variety of environmental conditions, including poor soils, full sun to dense shade, and a wide pH range. It does not do well in heavy wet soils. Natural forest openings resulting from wind throw, insect defoliation or fire are vulnerable to invasion and provide conditions for satellite populations of climbing euonymus to get started.

BACKGROUND: Climbing euonymus was introduced into the U.S. in 1907 as an ornamental ground cover.

BIOLOGY & SPREAD: Climbing euonymus spreads vegetatively with the help of lateral shoots produced along its long main branches and by new plants that emerge from rootlets also produced along the stem at short intervals. Vines climb rocks, trees, and other supporting structures. Flowers formed in the summer produce mature fruits by fall that are equipped with fleshy edible structures (arils) that are fed on by birds and other wildlife which disperse it. Climbing euonymus also escapes from neglected gardens and is carried by by water, to undisturbed forest and riparian areas.

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE PLANTS: There are a variety of native creeping or climbing vines that make good alternatives for climbing euonymus. Some examples from the eastern U.S. include trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), Dutchman's pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla), crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens), and American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens), our only native wisteria*.

*NOTE: When purchasing or planting wisteria, make certain it is the native American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) and not exotic Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) or Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda), both of which are aggressive exotic invaders of natural areas and are difficult to control.

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