Strawberry Bush is a small, thin shrub with green, angled, weak stems. The bright red bursting fruits are spectacular.

Chatham Co., NC 9/20/03.

The common names, which include American strawberry-bush, hearts-a-bustin', and bursting heart, refer to the odd red fruits that burst open in late fall.

Durham Co., NC 10/8/02.

The opposite leaves are simple and toothed. In the southwestern part of North Carolina, the rare Running Strawberry-bush (Euonymus obovatus) is quite similar. It differs in having trailing stems and leaves that are obovate (broadest above the middle). Also compare with Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus), which is quite rare in the state. It has larger leaves, larger stature, and longer petioles.

Durham Co., NC 10/8/02.