Euonymus americanus
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-ON-ih-mus a-mer-ih-KAY-nus
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Strawberry bush is a low-maintenance, deciduous, suckering, perennial shrub native to the southeastern and southern states. Its common name derives from the showy warty capsules that split open to reveal red-orange seeds in the fall. The specific epithet is Latin for “American.” It is a member of the bittersweet family (Celastraceae).
The shrub can be grown in a wide variety of soils, including clay, and tolerates both drought and wet soils to a degree. It tolerates being planted near black walnut trees. It frequently sustains damage from deer that eat the foliage and twigs.
It is native to wooded slopes, moist woodlands and creek or river areas, and is found in a variety of soil conditions ranging from sandy to clay. Spring flowers are small and non-showy, but the fall leaf color is an attractive red. It has a sprawling form when young but matures to a more upright growth pattern. Seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals.
Plant in a woodland naturalized area or a native plant garden. It would also work in a rain or shade garden.
Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems, aside from browsing by deer. Scale insects can be a problem. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euonymus
- Species:
- americanus
- Family:
- Celastraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Foliage and twigs are readily eaten by white-tailed deer. Seeds are eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys and small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- fire in the landscape.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Orange
- Pink
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 3/4 inch red bumpy 5-lobed capsule splits to reveal red seeds. Displays from September to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Non-showy, small blooms about 1/3 inch across with 5 yellow-green petals and purple stamens. Blooms from May to June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Oblong to oval leaves up to 3 inches long are yellow-green and turn a showy red for fall. Tips are pointed and bases are rounded. Margins slightly toothed.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Green
- Bark Description:
- Bark is green buy darkens with age
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- Slender, square and green stems. Terminal buds reddish-orange, 1/4 inch long, pointed.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Fire
- Wet Soil
