How do you recognise Spindle (Euonymus europaeus)?

Leaf

Daniel Cahen, Wikimedia · CC BY 4.0

Spindle

Euonymus europaeus L.

Also known as: European spindle, Common spindle

Family: Celastraceae

2 to 4 m tall

Hedges, woodland edges, chalky soils

Flowering: May

Full sun

Part shade

Very hardy, to -25°C

❓ How do you recognise this plant?

Pink bonnet-shaped capsules that open to reveal orange seeds — one of the most recognisable fruits of our hedgerows. The spindle is a deciduous shrub with very conspicuous pink fruits with orange seeds in autumn, whereas the Japanese spindle is evergreen, often variegated, grown in clipped hedges, with inconspicuous fruiting.

🍃 Leaves

Opposite, ovate, finely toothed, turning vivid red in autumn

🌸 Flowers

Small, greenish, barely visible

🍎 Fruits

Pink 4-lobed capsules opening to reveal bright orange seeds

🪵 Bark

Grey, angular green stems

🗺️ Distribution

Europe, western Asia; very common in hedges and at woodland edges throughout France.

🐝 Value for pollinators

Inconspicuous greenish nectar-bearing flowers, visited by small pollinating insects in spring.

✂️ Horticultural uses

Planted in rural hedges, valued for its very decorative pink fruits in autumn and its foliage that turns red.

⚠️ Possible toxicity

Whole plant toxic, in particular the fruits (pink capsules with orange seeds), causing severe digestive upset if eaten.

⚠️ Look-alike species

Spindle

Euonymus europaeus

Japanese spindle

Euonymus japonicus

The spindle is a deciduous shrub with very conspicuous pink fruits with orange seeds in autumn, whereas the Japanese spindle is evergreen, often variegated, grown in clipped hedges, with inconspicuous fruiting.

🌿 Other Celastraceae to discover

ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.

🌱 This database is constantly evolving — species and information are added and corrected regularly. Spotted a mistake? Report it below.