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| ## strawberry bush {#strawberry-bush .Title-Header}                   |
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| *Euonymus americana* L.                                               |
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| Plant Symbol = EUAM7                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data

Center & Addis Field Office

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.7909722222222224in"
height="1.8541666666666667in"}

##### Alternate Names  {#alternate-names .Header-3}

wahoo, bursting heart, fish wood, burning bush, hearts-a-burstin-love,
brook euonymus

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Wildlife:* Strawberry bush seeds are reportedly consumed sparingly by
wild turkey and some songbirds. Leaves are readily consumed by
white-tailed deer and eastern cottontail rabbit, however, strawberry
bush is not abundant enough to be recognized as important in their total
diet. Strawberry bush may be considered an important indicator of deer
presence because it virtually disappears in areas overstocked with deer.

*Medicinal:* The seed is a strong laxative. A tea made from the roots is
used in cases of uterine prolapse, vomiting of blood, painful urination,
and stomach aches. The bark is diuretic, expectorant, and tonic.

It was used as a tea in the treatment of malaria, liver congestion,
constipation, etc. The powdered bark, applied to the scalp, was believed
to eliminate dandruff. An infusion of the plant has been used to
stimulate menstruation and therefore should not be used by pregnant
women.

*Ornamental:* Strawberry bush is an excellent ornamental species. The
leaves turn dark red in autumn. The red capsules and scarlet arillate
seeds add to the "burning effect," contributing to several of its common
names. Strawberry bush is best used in natural settings, in the shade of
larger shrubs and trees. Large specimens can have hundreds of "bursting"
red capsules. In the winter, the bright green twigs are also attractive.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*General*: Strawberry bush, family Celastraceae, is a native perennial
shrub 2-6 feet high. The leaves are egg-shaped to broadly lance-shaped,
usually pointed at the base and sharply pointed at the tip, finely and
sharply toothed on the margin, bright green and smooth on top, slightly
paler and smooth beneath, 1 to 3.5 inches long, and almost stalkless.
The flowers are yellowish green or greenish purple, borne at the end of
long stalks and appear from March to June. The petals are 5 in number
and nearly triangular in shape. The fruits are rounded capsules with a
warty surface. The capsules split open at maturity to expose bright red
seeds and take on the appearance of a strawberry, ripening in September
or October.

*Distribution*: Strawberry bush is Native and occurs throughout much of
the Eastern United States (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of
Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,
Virginia, and West Virginia). It is also known to occur in Ontario. For
current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this
species on the PLANTS Web site.

*Habitat:* Strawberry bush grows in deciduous woods, sandy thickets,
swamps, woodlands, shady edges, ravines, and stream sides.

##### Adaptation {#adaptation .Header-3}

Strawberry bush occurs in moist forests, including bottomland hardwood
forests and adjacent to small streams. Once established, it can tolerate
poor drainage or moderate droughts and alkaline terrain. However,
well-drained summer irrigated beds of humus rich soil produce better
growth and fruits. Fruits grow best in partial-to-full sun, but are
shade tolerant. The species spreads by animal dispersed seeds.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

*Propagation by seed:* Strawberry bush seeds require three months of
cold treatment to germinate. A stored seed requires 8-12 weeks warm
followed by 8-16 weeks cold stratification and can be sown in cold
frames. When seedlings are large enough to handle, place the seedlings
into individual pots and grow them in the greenhouse for at least their
first winter. Out-plant seedlings into their permanent positions in late
spring or early summer, after the danger of frost passes. Fruits only
develop on 2 to 3-year-old plants. Root clumps can be divided to make
more plants in the winter.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Strawberry bush tolerates different types of well- drained soils but
does not tolerate drought well; water and mulch this plant in hot, dry
environments. The species requires a site receiving partial shade and
can withstand heavy pruning. No pruning is required, unless size
containment is required. Strawberry bush transplants well when it is
balled and burlapped. Winter is the optimum trimming time, but cutting
can be done any time the plant is in leaf.

**Pest and Potential Problems**

Strawberry bush is extremely susceptible to Euonymus scale and crown
gall. Both of these problems are of considerable importance.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

Although abundant amounts grow in the wild, the plant may require
special ordering from a customer service oriented nursery.

Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture."

**References**

Allen, C.M., D.A. Newman, and H.H. Winters. 2002. *Trees, shrubs and
woody vines of Louisiana*. Allen Native Ventures, Pitkin.

Britton, N.L. and A. Brown. 1913. *Illustrated flora of the northern
states, Canada, and the British possessions*. vol. 2, ed. 2. Dover
Publications, Scribner.

Chittenden, F.J. and P.M. Synge. 1956. *Dictionary of gardening*. vol.
2, ed. 2. Clarendon Press, Oxford.

Gleason, H.A., and A. Cronquist. 1991. *Manual of vascular plants of
northeastern United States and adjacent Canada*. ed. 2. New York
Botanical Garden, Bronx.

Grimm, W.C. and J.T. Kartesz. 1993. *The illustrated book of wildflowers
and shrubs*. Stackpole Books, Mechainsburg.

Justice, W. 2002. *USDA- NRCS PLANTS Database*, Version 3.5
([http://plants.usda.gov, 30 November 2004]()). National Plant Data
Center, Baton Rouge.

Louisiana State University. 2003. *Louisiana ecosystems & plant
identification.*
[(http://rnrstreamer.lsu.edu/ecosystems/webtour/index.htm](http://rnrstreamer.lsu.edu/ecosystems/webtour/index.htm),
11October 2004). School of Renewable Resouces, Baton Rouge.

McNeely, M.R. 2003. *Maggie's garden.* (http://
[www.maggiesgarden.com](http://www.maggiesgarden.com/), 2 November 2004)
Fort Worth.

Miller, J.H. and K.V. Miller. 1999. *Forest plants of the southeast and
their wildlife uses*. Southern Weed Science Society, Champaign.

Shelter, S.G. and S.S. Orli. 2000. *Annotated checklist of the vascular
plants of Washington- Baltimore area. part. 1. ferns, fern allies,
gymnosperms, dicotyledons.* Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

**Prepared By**

*Zakia Williams*

USDA NRCS Addis Field Office, Addis, Louisiana

**Species Coordinator**

*Lincoln M. Moore*

USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Edited: 1Dec2004 rln; 06jun06 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*