Euonymus americanus Linnaeus. Common name: Strawberry-bush, Heart's-a-bustin’ (-with-love). Phenology: May-Jun; Sep-Oct. Habitat: Mesic to submesic forests. Distribution: Se. NY west to s. OH and se. MO, south to n. peninsular FL and TX.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: A named variety, var. angustifolius (Pursh) Alph. Wood, with narrowly lanceolate to linear leaves, occurs in our area; it is of uncertain status (Brizicky 1964) but is here considered a form.
Other Comments: See Wyatt, Beliveau, & Wyatt (2023) or discussion of pollination ecology, largely pollinated by ants and cockroaches.
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, F, FNA12, G, Il, K4, NY, Pa, RAB, S, Tn, Tx, Va, W, WH3, WV; = Euonymus americana; = Evonymus americanus L. — Tat, orthographic variant; > Euonymus americanus L. var. americanus — S13; > Euonymus americanus L. var. angustifolius (Pursh) Alph.Wood; > Euonymus americanus L. var. biflorus (Raf.) Gardner — S13. Basionym: Euonymus americanus L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Euonymus americanus - FNA12
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
- Great Plains: FACW
- Midwest: FAC
- Northcentral & Northeast: FAC
Heliophily ⓘ: 3
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Horticultural Information
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Height: 4-6 ft.
plant sale text: Heart's-a-bustin', also referred to as strawberry-bush, is best known for its showy red fruit clusters in late summer. However in the spring this woody plant also produces subtle but curious looking small, five-petaled greenish-yellow flowers. In the fall the oval to lanceolate-shaped leaves of Euonymous americanus turn an attractive dark red, while its green stems provide winter interest. This shrub will tolerate deep shade but produces more fruit in light shade. Deer like this species so protect your plants when planting them in an area frequented by deer.
bloom table text: Heart's-a-bustin', also referred to as strawberry-bush, is best known for its showy red fruit clusters in late summer. However in the spring this woody plant also produces subtle but curious looking small, five-petaled greenish-yellow flowers. In the fall the oval to lanceolate-shaped leaves of Euonymous americanus turn an attractive dark red, while its green stems provide winter interest. This shrub will tolerate deep shade but produces more fruit in light shade. Deer like this species so protect your plants when planting them in an area frequented by deer.
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native range: eastern United States
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