Spindle (shrub)

The spindles, genus Euonymus, comprise about 170-180 species of shrubs and small trees. They have a wide distribution in Europe, Asia, Australasia, North America and Madagascar. The leaves are opposite (rarely alternate) and simple ovoid, typically 2-15cm long. The flowers are small, usually greenish white and inconspicuous; the fruit is a red four- or five- valved berry. The fruit are eaten by frugivorous birds, which disperse the seeds in their droppings. All parts of the plants are poisonous to humans if eaten.

The wood was traditionally used for the making of spindles for spinning wool; this use is the origin of the English name of the shrubs.