85. Euonymus japonicus Aureovariegatus

English name: Japanese spindle ‘Aureovariegatus’

Latin name: Euonymus japonicus ‘Aureovariegatus’

Family: Staff vine/bittersweet - Celastraceae

Origin: Under cultivation at the Palm House

The Japanese spindle is an evergreen shrub or small tree, growing to between two and eight metres tall. Its leaves are opposite, oval, and 3 to 7 cm. long, with serrated edges. The leaves of the ‘Aureovariegatus’ cultivar feature yellow, and sometimes creamy-yellow, streaks.  The flowers are inconspicuous, green and white, with a diameter of 5 mm.  The fruits appear in autumn. In areas of Europe where the climate is relatively mild, the Japanese spindle is a popular garden plant.