Mason Heberling

Even though it was collected in Japan, this specimen might look familiar in Pennsylvania. This specimen of wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) was collected by M. Togashi in Japan in 1985. Native to East Asia, wintercreeper (also called Fortune’s spindle or climbing euonymus) was introduced to North America in 1907 for use as a ground cover.  In fact, it can be found just outside the Carnegie Museum, around the parking garage.  It can escape cultivation, to establish and become naturalized (sometimes invasive) in the Eastern United States.  Wintercreeper is a fast-growing woody vine which has evergreen leaves.  Wintercreeper is recognized as invasive by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR), with potential to cause ecological harm in natural areas (link).
 
Herbarium specimens are valuable resources to study invasive species -- not only to monitor changes through time (since introduction) and to track its spread across the US, but also to compare to populations growing in the native range.  Much untapped potential in herbaria worldwide for understanding species invasions.

Stumbled upon this neat little book from 100 years ago in the Botany library, which promotes the use of this plant as an ornamental.  The book was published in 1917, ten years after wintercreeper was introduced to the US.  Many states (including PA) now recognize this species as problematic or having the potential to become invasive.  [note: Evonymus radicans is a synonym for Euonymus fortunei var. radicans]

Below: Euonymus this morning outside the museum.  Probably not much photosynthesis happening this winter morning, given it is 0 °F (feels like -18°F​)!

Collected on this day in 1935, this eastern wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus) specimen was found near Connellsville Pennsylvania by John Franklin Lewis.
Eastern wahoo is native to midwestern states and parts of Pennsylvania.