Japanese Spindle

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Japanese Spindle
Foliage of the Japanese spindle (Euonymus japonicus)
Foliage of the Japanese spindle (Euonymus japonicus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Celastrales
Family: Celastraceae
Genus: Euonymus
Species: E. japonicus
Binomial name
Euonymus japonicus
Thunb.

The Japanese Spindle (Euonymus japonicus) is a species of spindle, native to Japan, Korea and China. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing to 2-8 m tall, with opposite, oval leaves 3-7 cm long with a finely serrated margin. The flowers are inconspicuous, greenish-white, 5 mm diameter.

It is a popular ornamental plant both in its native area and also in Europe and North America; numerous cultivars have been selected, often with yellow or variegated leaves.