Spindle Trees

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Scientific name:  Euonymus europaea

Size:  Up to 9m tall (but usually much shorter)

Distribution:  Found throughout the U.K.

Flowering months:  May to June

Habitat:  Woodlands, woodland edges, hedgerows and gardens

Special features:  Spindle trees can be recognised by their glossy, pointed leaves with finely serrated edges.  The stems are green and brown, and the small white flowers which appear in late summer have four petals.  The popcorn-shaped fruits which appear in late autumn are a pinkish-red colour with orange seeds inside.

The Spindle berries are poisonous, but the red and orange colour can be extracted to make dyes.  Also the wood is used to make charcoal for artists.

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