[137] Euonymus europaeus, Spindle
Introduction
Euonymus europaeus, Spindle, is a deciduous shrub or small tree, widely grown in parks and gardens for its attractive autumn fruits. It is also known as the European Spindle or Common Spindle.
Other species of Euonymus are also cultivated, including Euonymus japonicus, the Japanese Spindle.
Taxonomy
Kingdom – Plants
Division – Vascular Plants
Class – Angiosperms (Flowering Plants_
Order – Celestrales
Family – Celestraceae
Genus – Euonymus
Scientific Name – Euonymus europaeus
Name
The wood from Euonymus europaeus was traditionally used in England to make spindles for spinning wool. The Latin name for this plant comes from Ancient Greek euonymus, meaning good-name or lucky. It may have come from a figure in Greek mythology called Euonymus.
The plant may have given the name to the Ancient Greek settlement Euonymeia, which was a significant area in the Fourth and Fifth Centuries BC, but is now incorporated into the urban suburbs of Athens.
Description
The 130 species of Euonymus have many different local names and have various forms.
Euonymus europaeus is a deciduous plant growing to about five metres. In summer the leaves and flowers are insignificant but the fruits develop into colourful purple-pink capsules.
When ripe, the fruit splits to reveal orange seeds.
In the autumn its leaves turn to attractive red colours.
Habitat and use
Euonymus europaeus is native to most of Europe, including the UK.
It is a popular garden plant and is available in a number of cultivars. Several other species of Euonymus are also cultivated.
See also
Euonymus japonicus, Japanese Spindle, is an evergreen species and is sometimes called Evergreen Spindle. It is native to Japan, China and Korea and is widely cultivated. Many of its cultivars have yellow or variegated leaves.
The Species of Britain 