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Euonymus americanus

Phonetic Spelling
yoo-ON-ih-mus a-mer-ih-KAY-nus
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Strawberry Bush is a low maintenance deciduous suckering 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. Spring flowers are small and non-showy but fall leaf color is a showy red. It has a sprawling form when young but matures to a more upright growth pattern.

It is native to wooded slopes, moist woodland and creek or river areas, and is found in a variety of soil conditions ranging from sandy to clay. The typical range is from New York coast all the way south and across Texas and inland to the midwest from all those points.  

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. Fruits and seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. Plant in a woodland naturalized area for best results.   

Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.

More information on Euonymus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#native shrub#fall interest#showy fruits#fire low flammability#NC native#food source fall#food source herbage#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#wet soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#black walnut toxicity tolerant#Audubon#hedge#wildlife friendly#collier preserve tn#woodland#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#native shrub#fall interest#showy fruits#fire low flammability#NC native#food source fall#food source herbage#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#wet soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#black walnut toxicity tolerant#Audubon#hedge#wildlife friendly#collier preserve tn#woodland#hs303
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Green
    Bark Description:
    Bark is green buy darkens with age
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, chills, coma, and convulsions, IF EATEN IN LARGE QUANTITIES
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unidentified, possibly a glycoside
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice
    Stems