These structures develop from a cork cambium deposited in longitudinal grooves in the twigs' first year, unlike similar wings in other plants such as Quercus macrocarpa.

The fruit is a red aril enclosed by a four-lobed pink, yellow, or orange capsule All parts of the plant are toxic by ingestion, causing severe discomfort.

[10] Generally cultivated for its ornamental qualities, attraction to wildlife, and ability to adapt to urban and suburban environments,[1] the shrub commonly is used in foundation planting, hedges, and along highways and commercial strips.

[12] Chemicals that have been isolated from the plant include flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, lignans, cardenolides, phenolic acids, and alkaloids.

[12] Euonymus alatus is regarded as an invasive species of woodlands in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, where it can outcompete native vegetation and disrupt local ecosystems.