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. The flowers are yellow-green and relatively inconspicuous.

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 (E. obovatus) occurs. It differs in having trailing stems and leaves that are obovate (broadest above the middle).

Durham Co., NC 10/8/02.