Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Celastrales>Celastraceae>Euonymus americanus L.

Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus)

Strawberry Bush is a small, thin shrub with green, angled, weak stems. The bright red bursting fruits are spectacular.

Chatham Co., NC 9/20/03.

Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus)

The common names, which include American strawberry-bush, hearts-a-bustin', and bursting heart, refer to the odd red fruits that burst open in late fall.

Durham Co., NC 10/8/02.

Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus)

The opposite leaves are simple and toothed. In the southwestern part of North Carolina, the rare Running Strawberry-bush (Euonymus obovatus) is quite similar. It differs in having trailing stems and leaves that are obovate (broadest above the middle). Also compare with Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus), which is quite rare in the state. It has larger leaves, larger stature, and longer petioles.

Durham Co., NC 10/8/02.

Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus)

The small flowers are yellow-green and relatively inconspicuous, but quite strange when seen close-up, flat as a saucer with flat petals and oddly prodruding stamens and pistil.

Wake Co., NC 5/23/09.

Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus)

Wake Co., NC 5/23/09.

Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus)

Immature fruit.

Wake Co., NC 5/23/09.

 

More information:
Floridata
Missouri Plants
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Wildflowers of the Southeastern US

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