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Bruso, George H.

Euonymus obovatus

Euonymus obovatus Nutt.

Running Strawberry Bush, Running Euonymus

Celastraceae (Bittersweet Family)

Synonym(s): Euonymus obovata

USDA Symbol: EUOB8

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Running Strawberry-bush or Running Euonymus is a trailing, woodland groundcover which may grow to 18 in. in height, spreading almost indefinitely. Foliage is dense and turns brilliant tones of purple, maroon and pink in fall. These colors last until late Nov. or early Dec. When the leaves abscise, bright-green stems are revealed. The fruit capsule, preceded by pale-green flowers with purple stamens, is pink.

This is a very fast-growing ground cover.

From the Image Gallery

22 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 18 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Pale green, often tinged purple.

Distribution

USA: AR , DE , GA , IL , IN , KY , MI , MO , NC , NY , OH , PA , TN
Native Distribution: W. NY & s. Ont. to MI & IL, s. to TN & MO
Native Habitat: Rich, dry to damp woods, thickets & slopes

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Rich, moist soils.
Conditions Comments: A scale insect common on other Euonymus spp. rarely affects this one. This is a very fast-growing ground cover.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU				FAC			FAC	FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Euonymus obovatus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Euonymus obovatus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Euonymus obovatus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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