Spindle trees are aesthetic shrubs whose fruits attract attention in summer. Despite their beauty, care should be taken when there are children or pets in the garden. The parts of the plant are tough and should not be eaten.
The fruits of the spindle tree inspire with their bright colors
growth
The European euonymus develops multiple trunks and a sparsely branched crown. Depending on the location, the shrub grows to heights of between two and six meters. In width, the wood can reach dimensions of one and a half to four meters. The bark of the often four-edged twigs is grey-brown in colour. In some specimens, the branches form two to four narrow cork strips.
leaves, flowers and fruits
Euonymus europaeus develops deciduous leaves that are opposite. They appear egg-shaped and are up to eight centimeters long. Its upper side is dull green in color, while the underside appears lighter. Spindle trees develop intensive autumn colors ranging from bright golden yellow to crimson.
The flowers of the euonymus are fourfold and inconspicuous pale green. The small individual flowers are in groups of two to six in cymes, which have long stalks. The flowering time of the shrubs is between May and June. The sweet nectar attracts numerous insects, wild bees and bumblebees.
The species is named after the typically shaped fruits, which are pink to crimson in color and have four chambers, each with a seed. The capsules burst open between September and October, leaving the seeds hanging out on long stalks. They are popular food sources for robins and tits.
Happen
The spindle tree is found in southern and central Europe, where it grows wild between Spain and the Volga. Some distribution areas are in Asia Minor. Spindle trees inhabit forest edges and floodplain forests. They characterize copses and wall hedges. In Germany, the species occurs everywhere from the lowlands to the Alps, where it rises to 1,000 meters.
toxicity
All parts of the plant and especially the seeds of the spindle tree are poisonous. The poisonous effect has been known since ancient times. Nevertheless, various parts of the plant have been used medicinally in the past. In humans, it can take up to 18 hours for the first symptoms to appear. Pets can die after eating the plant parts.
Typical complaints:
- abdominal pain
- nausea
- diarrhea
- repeated vomiting