Euonymus americanus
Strawberry Bush
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Euonymus genus in the family Celastraceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Celastraceae
- Genus
- Euonymus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 2.5 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The fruits, seed and bark are considered to be poisonous[4].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The seed is strongly laxative[4]. A tea made from the roots is used in cases of uterine prolapse, vomiting of blood, painful urination and stomach aches[4][5]. The bark is diuretic, expectorant, laxative and tonic[4]. It was used as a tea in the treatment of malaria, liver congestion, constipation etc[4][5]. The powdered bark, applied to the scalp, was believed to eliminate dandruff[4]. An infusion of the plant has been used to stimulate menstruation and so should not be used by pregnant women[5].
- Product or use
- Cathartic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Laxative
- Product or use
- Tonic
Environment
- Range
- Eastern N. America - New York to Florida, west to Texas and Illinois.
- Habitat
- Rich woods and ravines[6].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 8 - 12 weeks warm followed by 8 - 16 weeks cold stratification and can then be sown in a cold frame[7][8]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm long taken at a node or with a heel, July/August in a frame. Very easy[3].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Thrives in almost any soil, including chalk, it is particularly suited to dry shaded areas[3]. Prefers a well-drained loamy soil[1]. Requires shade from the midday sun[1][2].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.