Euonymus occidentalis var. occidentalis
Western burning bush
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Family: Celastraceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Euonymus occidentalis var. occidentalis (Western burning bush) is a native California shrub / tree in the Celastraceae family, recognized by distinguished primarily by geographic range and elevation.
Western burning bush is a California native shrub found in northwestern California, the high Cascade Range, northern Sierra Nevada, and central western California in shaded streambanks and canyons at elevations of 20 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small greenish-white flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with multiple ascending stems 1 to 3 meters tall, it develops a distinctive branching structure with smooth, somewhat angular branches. Its opposite leaves are simple, dark green, and approximately 3 to 8 centimeters long with finely serrated margins. The fruit is a distinctive four-lobed capsule that turns bright red when mature, giving the plant its evocative common name.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished primarily by geographic range and elevation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shaded streambanks, canyons
Elevation: 20-1600 m
California counties: Humboldt, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Butte, Trinity, Mendocino, Marin, San Mateo, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Contra Costa, Plumas
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Euonymus occidentalis var. occidentalis blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Buxus: Euonymus has showy dark red-brown flowers, while Buxus has tiny inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers.; vs Ligustrum: Euonymus flowers are dark reddish-brown in small clusters from leaf joints; Ligustrum has white flowers in showy terminal pyramids.; vs Coprosma: Euonymus has opposite leaves and colorful flowers; Coprosma has tiny flowers and produces bright berries.; vs Cornus: Euonymus has 5-petaled dark brown flowers; Cornus has 4-petaled white or yellow flowers (or showy white bracts).; vs Arbutus: Euonymus has opposite leaves; Arbutus has alternate leaves and distinctive peeling reddish bark.
Frequently asked questions
Is Euonymus occidentalis var. occidentalis native to California?
Yes. Euonymus occidentalis var. occidentalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Euonymus occidentalis var. occidentalis bloom?
Euonymus occidentalis var. occidentalis blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Euonymus occidentalis var. occidentalis grow?
Euonymus occidentalis var. occidentalis occurs in Humboldt, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Butte, Trinity, Mendocino, Marin, San Mateo and other counties, at elevations of 20-1600 m.
What plant family does Euonymus occidentalis var. occidentalis belong to?
Euonymus occidentalis var. occidentalis is in the Celastraceae family, genus Euonymus.
What habitat does Euonymus occidentalis var. occidentalis grow in?
Euonymus occidentalis var. occidentalis grows in Shaded streambanks, canyons.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.