Running strawberry is in the bittersweet family. It is considered a dwarf shrub or short woody vine.
The leaves are opposite and bright green in the spring. In spring to early summer, flower stems (peduncles) grow out of some of the axils of the opposite leaves. These stems tend to lay flat on the leaves along the mid-vein. Petals have a pink-green color and the centers are green with five stamens and a pistil.
Once pollinated, a fruit develops. This fruit usually has three cells and red berries develop inside, until fall, when the fruits split open and the red berries drop down into view.
This plant can also reproduce vegetatively if the stems touch the ground because they will develop roots in those locations.
Some sites list this plant as a ground cover. As it does spread, I guess it could be considered this, but leaves tend to be sparse. I think of it more as filler plant.
I have most often seen this plant slightly uphill from floodplains (on the first tier). It grows ok in my yard without spreading much, presumably because it is too dry. However, both ground hogs and rabbits will nibble it down, so if you have those, consider protecting it.
Running Strawberry (Euonymus obovatus)
Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution: Running Strawberry
Height: 6-12”
Bloom time: May-June
Soil: well-drained, loamy or rocky soil, can tolerate some dry
Sun: partial shade to shade
Plant spacing: 6-12”
Flower: pink, green, mottled purple
Life cycle: perennial
Family: Celastraceae
Seed source: Michigan
Sizes:
Get notified by email when this product is in stock.
Running strawberry is in the bittersweet family. It is considered a dwarf shrub or short woody vine.
The leaves are opposite and bright green in the spring. In spring to early summer, flower stems (peduncles) grow out of some of the axils of the opposite leaves. These stems tend to lay flat on the leaves along the mid-vein. Petals have a pink-green color and the centers are green with five stamens and a pistil.
Once pollinated, a fruit develops. This fruit usually has three cells and red berries develop inside, until fall, when the fruits split open and the red berries drop down into view.
This plant can also reproduce vegetatively if the stems touch the ground because they will develop roots in those locations.
Some sites list this plant as a ground cover. As it does spread, I guess it could be considered this, but leaves tend to be sparse. I think of it more as filler plant.
I have most often seen this plant slightly uphill from floodplains (on the first tier). It grows ok in my yard without spreading much, presumably because it is too dry. However, both ground hogs and rabbits will nibble it down, so if you have those, consider protecting it.
Running Strawberry (Euonymus obovatus)
Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution: Running Strawberry
Height: 6-12”
Bloom time: May-June
Soil: well-drained, loamy or rocky soil, can tolerate some dry
