ExplorePlants

fortune's spindle

Euonymus fortunei

Fortune's spindle is a lovely green shrub with bright pink berries. It can grow in many places and is often used to make gardens look pretty!

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The fortune's spindle is a versatile plant with glossy green leaves, often variegated with cream, yellow, or pink. Its small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers mature into bright pinkish-red capsules that split open to reveal vibrant orange seeds.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCelastralesFamilyCelastraceaeGenusEuonymus
fortune's spindle
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgeornamental trait badgeshrub trait badge
fortune's spindle

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

15

Interesting facts

It's nicknamed 'wintercreeper' because it stays green and spreads, even in winter!

Its bright orange seeds are hidden inside colorful pink 'lanterns'!

Some varieties can grow over 20 feet tall, climbing like a vine!

The plant's common name comes from its wood once used to make textile spindles!

Special abilities

Ability

Super Climber

fortune's spindle can cling to walls and trees using aerial roots, helping it climb high for more sunlight.

Ability

Chameleon Foliage

fortune's spindle has leaves that change to stunning reds, purples, or bronzes in cooler weather, helping it adapt to seasons.

Ability

Tough Survivor

fortune's spindle can thrive in a wide range of tough conditions, helping it grow almost anywhere.

Measurements & details

Height
30-600 cm
Spread
30-300 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to early summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits small flowers for nectar.

eaten by

White-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Browses on leaves and stems.

parasitizes

Red wax scale

Ceroplastes rubens

Feeds on plant sap.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Don't eat the berries, as they can make you feel sick.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify fortune's spindle?

The easiest way to identify fortune's spindle is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is fortune's spindle?

30-600 cm

How wide does fortune's spindle spread?

30-300 cm

How big are the flowers on fortune's spindle?

0.5-1 cm

When does fortune's spindle bloom?

Late spring to early summer

Is fortune's spindle edible?

No

Is fortune's spindle toxic?

Mild

What is fortune's spindle's lifecycle?

Perennial

Snap Map

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