Spindle

Euonymus europaeus

The spindle is a lovely shrub with bright green leaves and colorful berries. In the fall, its leaves turn beautiful shades of yellow and pink, making it a pretty sight in gardens and parks.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Spindle is a deciduous shrub with green leaves that turn vibrant red or deep purple in autumn. Its most striking feature is the bright pink, four-lobed fruits that split open to reveal brilliant orange seeds, resembling tiny lanterns.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCelastralesFamilyCelastraceaeGenusEuonymus

Spindle

Interesting facts

Its name 'Spindle' comes from its wood being used to make wool-spinning tools!

Spindle wood is so dense it was once used for making charcoal and even piano keys!

The vibrant orange seeds are a favorite snack for many birds, despite being toxic to humans.

Watch out! The berries look yummy but are poisonous if eaten by people.

Special abilities

Spindle has bright pink seed pods that split open to reveal orange seeds, helping birds easily spot and spread them.

Spindle can turn its leaves a fiery red or deep purple in fall, attracting attention and making nutrients ready for next year.

Spindle has incredibly hard wood that was historically used to make fine tools and spindles for spinning wool.

Measurements & details

Height: 300-600 cm
Spread: 200-400 cm
Flower Size: 0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer
Is Edible: No
Toxicity: Moderate
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

eaten by

Blackbird

Turdus merula

Eats the orange seeds, helping to disperse them.

pollinates

Honeybee

Apis mellifera

Visits the small green flowers for nectar and pollen.

eaten by

Spindle Ermine Moth

Yponomeuta cagnagella

Larvae feed on the leaves, sometimes defoliating the plant.

Traits

Deciduous

Discover the magic of plants that shed all their leaves during a particular season, often putting on a spectacular show of fall colors first. They get ready for a fresh start!

Ornamental

These lovely plants are grown simply because they are so beautiful to look at, adding splashes of color and interesting shapes to any garden or landscape.

Shrub

These amazing plants are like nature's bushy sculptures, having woody stems that branch out from the ground to create a lovely, full shape.

Fruit Bearing

These amazing plants develop fruits, which often contain seeds and are sometimes delicious treats for us or wildlife. They're nature's way of spreading new life!

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Fall Color

Witness the breathtaking transformation as leaves change from green to brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold before they fall. It's a spectacular natural art show!

Pollinator Magnet

Discover plants that are irresistible to our pollinator friends! These beauties are super attractive to bees, butterflies, and other helpful creatures, creating a buzzing hub of activity.