Question

leaf   A friend has posted this picture and seems to have everyone stumped so far. She found it growing in the woods beside her home in North Carolina. Can you help identify it

Answer

strawberry bush   Hi Karen,

It is an American Eunonymus, which has several common names.  It is called "deer ice cream", as it is reputed to be a favorite browse plant.  "Strawberry bush" is another name, and it is also called "hearts a-bustin' with love", because the red seed pods burst open when ripe sending the seed flying in all directions.  This is a picture of the flower.  I am attaching a photo of the plant with seed pods.

Thanks,
Susan