Euonymus americanus
| Euonymus americanus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 8' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Euonymus americanus (common name: strawberry bush)
Propagation: 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[1][2]. 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: Thrives in almost any soil, including chalk, it is particularly suited to dry shaded areas[3]. Prefers a well-drained loamy soil[4]. Requires shade from the midday sun[4][5].
Range: Eastern N. America - New York to Florida, west to Texas and Illinois.
Habitat: Rich woods and ravines[6].
Medicinal: The seed is strongly laxative[7].
A tea made from the roots is used in cases of uterine prolapse, vomiting of blood, painful urination and stomach aches[7][8].
The bark is diuretic, expectorant, laxative and tonic[7]. It was used as a tea in the treatment of malaria, liver congestion, constipation etc[7][8]. The powdered bark, applied to the scalp, was believed to eliminate dandruff[7].
An infusion of the plant has been used to stimulate menstruation and so should not be used by pregnant women[8].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The fruits, seed and bark are considered to be poisonous[7].
Links
References
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ Gordon, A and D Rowe. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. 1982.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.