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Euonymus possibly?
Posted: March 27th, 2022, 7:40 am
by Watto
I have had this tree for a while and either I have forgotten, or I don't remember what the species is.
I did think it was Euonymus japonica however the tree now has a few berries and they are not like the Euonymus berries that I know.
If anyone could be of assistance I would be most grateful.
Re: Euonymus possibly?
Posted: March 27th, 2022, 7:50 am
by Keels
Japanese holly perhaps? Only a wild guess but whatever it is that's a nice little tree

Re: Euonymus possibly?
Posted: March 27th, 2022, 8:10 am
by PAC
Good Morning Watto
I have one of these, fast growing evergreen and thirsty. Mine is also unlabelled! I thought it was a native NZ tree. The best I can come up with is Coprosma repens : Taupata (Maori) it's also found around the South Pacific.
Not much golf on at the moment here!
Kind Regards
Paul C
Re: Euonymus possibly?
Posted: March 27th, 2022, 9:33 am
by Promethius
Has it ever flowered for you, Watto?
The leaves, bark and berry look a lot like an Indian Hawthorn to me.
Re: Euonymus possibly?
Posted: March 27th, 2022, 10:40 am
by KIRKY
Not much to go on possibly Dwarf Sweet Box (Sarcococca hookeriana humilis) ?
Cheers
Kirky
Re: Euonymus possibly?
Posted: March 27th, 2022, 12:05 pm
by Watto
I should have said it is evergreen, it has flowered (because it has fruit) but I didn't see the flowers.
It has withstood quite severe frosts and very hot periods (so I think its tough) and does bud back on old wood, but unreliably.
Re: Euonymus possibly?
Posted: March 28th, 2022, 1:17 pm
by GavinG
Another vote for Raphiolepsis (I. Hawthorn).
Gavin
Re: Euonymus possibly?
Posted: March 28th, 2022, 6:13 pm
by Elmer
Possibly an Escallonia
Re: Euonymus possibly?
Posted: March 28th, 2022, 9:34 pm
by Phil Rabl
I don't think it's an Indian Hawthorn. They have clusters of flowers and therefore clusters of berries. I think Watto is right about it being Euonymus japonica (spindle bush). It also comes in a variegated form which can make a great hedge. From memory, the spindle bush has insignificant white flowers.
Re: Euonymus possibly?
Posted: March 29th, 2022, 3:45 pm
by Watto
Thank you all so much for your assistance.
I don't think its a coprosma because the leaves and fruit don't appear to suit.
I don't think its an Indian hawthorn mainly because of how the fruit hangs
I don't think its a dwarf sweet box because the growth habit and the flowers don't appear to suit
I don't think its an escallonia as the leaves are different and there are no showy flowers
So that has left me with the Japanese holly and my original thought but there is no certainty, I just wish I was smarter when it come to plant identification.
Thank you all again.
Re: Euonymus possibly?
Posted: March 29th, 2022, 6:00 pm
by Keels
Watto wrote: ↑March 29th, 2022, 3:45 pm
So that has left me with the Japanese holly and my original thought
I'll let you into a little secret

I use an app called PlantNet. It's terrible when your trying to identify Aussie natives

but normally 85% right for everything else.
I uploaded your pictures into the app and the top pick was Japanese holly. You should try it.
Re: Euonymus possibly?
Posted: March 31st, 2022, 11:52 am
by treeman
Re: Euonymus possibly?
Posted: March 31st, 2022, 4:46 pm
by Watto
Thank you Keels and Mike, I am now an official happy man.
