# Winterberry (*Euonymus bungeanus Maxim.*)

Winterberry is a type of holly that loves the cold! It has bright red berries that stand out against the snowy landscape.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Wetlands and forests
- **Also known as:** Ilex verticillata

![Winterberry](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426617/objects/5036.jpg)

## Appearance

The Winterberry is a deciduous shrub or small tree with green leaves that turn brilliant red or purple in autumn. It boasts clusters of pink-red, four-lobed capsules that split open to reveal bright orange seeds, creating a stunning visual display.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Celastrales
- **Family:** Celastraceae
- **Genus:** Euonymus

## Interesting facts

- Birds can safely eat its seeds, which are poisonous for humans.
- Despite its name, it’s not related to the common red-berried holly plants!
- Its seeds look like tiny orange jewels bursting from bright pink cases!
- Sometimes, this plant grows interesting corky 'wings' on its stems.

## Special abilities

- **Autumn Blaze:** Winterberry's leaves turn fiery red and purple, attracting attention before falling off the branches.
- **Hidden Jewels:** It has brightly colored orange seeds that emerge from pink capsules, often staying on branches all winter.
- **Bird Buffet (Toxic):** Its seeds are eaten by birds, helping spread them, though they are toxic to humans.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 300-500 cm
- **Spread:** 200-400 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Moderate
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** [Common Blackbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-blackbird) (*Turdus merula*) — Consumes the toxic seeds for dispersal.
- **Eats:** [Bohemian Waxwing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bohemian-waxwing) (*Bombycilla garrulus*) — Feeds on the persistent seeds during winter.
- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits the small flowers for nectar and pollen.

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Winter Interest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/winter-interest): Winter Interest refers to plants that provide aesthetic appeal through their foliage, bark, berries, or structure during the winter season.
- [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
- [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage.
- [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
- [Fruit Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-tree): A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals.
- [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.

## Collections

- [Grasses](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/grasses)
- [Grasses, Shrubs & Bushes](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/grasses-shrubs-and-bushes)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Winterberry?

Compare how the fruit is clustered, the leaves and their arrangement, the stems and any thorns. Red, blue and black fruits grow on lots of unrelated plants, and the same color can show up on both edible and poisonous species. Berry Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Winterberry?

300-500 cm

### How wide does Winterberry spread?

200-400 cm

### How big are the flowers on Winterberry?

0.5-1 cm

### When does Winterberry bloom?

Late spring to early summer

### Is Winterberry edible?

No

### Is Winterberry toxic?

Moderate

### What is Winterberry's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Winterberry: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/winterberry)