Agroforestree Database

Local names:
 English (Japanese spindle tree,Japanese euonymus), Filipino (malasangki), French (bonnet de prêtre), Indonesian (ki keuyeup,jerukan,awa kudang-kudang), Malay (kemuning ayer,belungkas,belimbing hutan), Mandarin (diào jing cao), Thai (kraduuk kai,khao kwan

Euonymus japonicus is a much branched, evergreen shrub or small tree up to 7 m tall; twigs green, smooth, often wrinkled when dry. 

Leaves lightly serrated, thick, dark green, opposite, 2.5-7 mm long, very waxy.

Flowers inconspicuous, white clusters, each with 4 green petals 6-10 mm.

Fruit capsule 4 celled, deep pink, exposing bright orange pulp on opening.

E. japonicus can be distinguished from the spindle tree (E. europaeus) by its rounded, unlobed capsule. Aureus is a cultivar of E. japonicus whose leaves are yellow in the middle with green margins; the leaves of cultivar Albomarginatus are green in the middle and yellow on the margins.

The generic name translates into 'good name'  from the Greek 'eu'-good and 'onoma'-name , ironically referring to its poisonous properties. 

The specific epithet means of Japan.

Ecology

E. japonicus is found in wastelands and shrubland, but is sometimes seen as a garden escape on forest margins and in disturbed forests. It tolerates salt sprays. The plant prefers night temperatures of 4-12 deg. C and day temperatures of 19 deg. C or lower.

Native range
China, Japan, Korea, Republic of

Tree management

E. japonicus is a fast-growing, light-demanding species. Established plants should be fed every 3-4 months, and newly purchased or potted plants after 4-6 months. Overcrowded plants may be repotted any season, except in spring when the light-coloured new growth is tender. Overgrown plants should be pruned in spring, cutting just above a leaf joint, where a new branch will grow. Both these cultivars are highly susceptible to scales, but they can be cut back for the winter to eliminate scale for a while.

E. japonicus is found in wastelands and shrubland, but is sometimes seen as a garden escape on forest margins and in disturbed forests. It tolerates salt sprays. The plant prefers night temperatures of 4-12 deg. C and day temperatures of 19 deg. C or lower.

Propagation may be in the form of stem cuttings. The soil should be kept barely moist.

Poison:  E. japonicus is considered a poisonous plant in the Pacific.

Medicine:  The bark is considered to be tonic, an anti-rheumatic, an anhidoritic and a diuretic. Chinese women use the leaves to aid difficult delivery. Amerindians use the occidental vicariads in gynaecological applications.

Ornamental:  Widely cultivated in gardens for its attractive, brightly coloured fruit and variegated foliage.