While the flower of the euonymus is rather inconspicuous, the fruit is a real feast for the eyes. Unfortunately, it is not edible for us humans, but for birds it is. Learn more about the fruit of the spindle tree below.
The fruit of the euonymus resembles an exotic flower
blossom
Between May and June, the inconspicuous green flowers appear, which sit together in loose inflorescences. Usually two to six, rarely nine flowers per axis are formed. They are hermaphrodite and fourfold. The flowers produce a sweet-smelling nectar that attracts numerous insects. Flower visitors mainly include flies and ants. More flowers are developed on calcareous soils.
fruit
From September the fruits ripen. There are capsule fruits with four lobes, which are purple-pink to crimson in color. When their development is complete, they spring open with four flaps. In each compartment, a seed sits on an elongated stalk that hangs out from the open flaps. Because of the resemblance to the typical headgear of Catholic clergy, the shrub got its German name.
The brightly colored fruits attract various birds, which ingest the seeds. They nibble off the fleshy outer shell of the seed and drop the inner part. Robins mainly eat the seeds, which is why the shrub was given the nickname robin bread. Thrushes and tits are also among the frequent visitors.
The seeds already contain greenish cotyledons. Even so, it takes three to four years before the seeds begin to germinate. Spindle trees reproduce vegetatively by creeping shoots that have roots on the ground.
toxicity
Spindle trees are poisonous in all parts of the plant. The toxic ingredients are particularly highly concentrated in the seeds. Birds don't die from eating the fruit. For other pets, accidental snacking can quickly become fatal. The fruits and leaves are not suitable for consumption, even if they have been used medicinally in the past. The poisonous effects of the plant have been known since ancient times.
Possible symptoms:
- nausea
- Vomit
- diarrhea
- rapid breathing
- increased pulse
use
The euonymus has repeatedly proven to be a valuable tree for strengthening slopes, banks and embankments. The wood provides an important raw material for the production of charcoal or cleaning wood for watchmakers. The shrub has a high ornamental value in gardens and parks. In the near-natural garden, the native wood should not be missing, because it offers a valuable habitat for insects and birds.