[APWG] Belated Followup to my post on Euonymus Hybridization - alatus X americanus

[SteveYoung at aol.com]

It was back on December 8, 2004 that I posted the question reproduced  below. 
I received several responses and appreciate the feedback. I thought I  would 
summarize what I learned. First, there seem to be no reports of  hybridization 
between Euonymus americanus, the North American native, and Eu.  alatus.
 
Second,  it was suggested that the fruit would be a key character of  any 
suspected hybrid. On closer examination I found that each individual that  showed 
any fruit had either the americanus fruit type or the alatus fruit type;  no 
individuals had fruit that appeared intergrade.
 
Third, I was asked the fair question, why did I suspect hybridization. My  
impression is that some americanus individuals show suggestions of alatus  
characters, primarily:
 
hints of brown markings on the stems, though of course short of "wings";  and
a growth aspect and twigginess that seems more alatus-like.
 
The fact that there is one patch where a number of americanus and alatus  
individuals are growing together, with some plants of the different species  
separated by less than a meter, increased my concern.
 
Please forgive my inarticulateness about characters etc; I am not a  botanist 
and it shows!
 
I am now persuaded that it is unlikely that I am seeing any hybrids. From  my 
standpoint such euonymus hybridization would be a worrying and "bad"  thing 
but I understand why there was horticultural interest in the possibility.  My 
focus is on invasive plant management.
 
Finally, should anyone who is interested be in or planning to visit the  
Washington, DC area, please feel free to contact me if you would like to have a  
look at the euonymus patch mentioned above.
 
Cheers,
 
    Steve Young
    Arlington, Virginia
 
My original post text follows:
 
My local park (Long Branch Nature Center/Glencarlyn Park, Arlington, VA)  has 
populations of the native Euonymus americanus (Hearts-a-burstin',  
Strawberrybush) and the exotic invasive, Euonymus alatus (Winged Euonymus,  Burning 
Bush). I have seen some plants that sure look like they are a hybrid of  the two 
species. Does anyone know whether such hybrids have been reported, or  have you 
made similar observations that you can share? I eliminate the obvious  
individuals of Eu. alatus, but some of the "hybrids" really have me stymied and  I'm 
debating the best approach to take with them. Any info is greatly  
appreciated. Cheers,

Steve

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