I posted a few pairs of before and after photos a while back in my Brambly Trail post.  Here’s another.  The woods where I frequently walk the dog is full of these fruits now.

It’s called “Running Strawberry Bush” (Euonymus obovatus) and according to my Newcomb’s guide it can be found “W.N.Y. to Mich south.”  It’s a trailing shrub, 1-2 feet high that likes rich woods.  There’s another variety that gets 2-6 feet high called Strawberry Bush or Bursting Heart or Hearts-a-bursting (E. americanus) which the Newcomb’s guide reports is found “Se N.Y. to s Ill. south.” You can see a picture at Tim Martin’s Flickr site by clicking here.

Are you finding it to be true this year?  It seems like everything is heavy-laden with fruits.  There are so many of these fruits in the woods around here!  Too bad they aren’t good eating.  In fact, according to Tim, they have such a potent laxative effect that they have been known to cause severe dehydration and even death.