Euonymus

Common spindle is a deciduous, monoecious (i.e. male and female flowers on the same plant) species native to Europe, with only a wedge-shaped extension to its range extending into Asia, beyond the Caspian Sea.

The spindle’s flowers draw little attention but in autumn the fruit are much more attractive. They open into four red sections with dangling orange-coated seeds. In open situations the autumn colours, in shades of red, can also be impressive. There are several varieties available, whose fruits vary from white to crimson.

E. macropterus, is native to eastern Asia and came to Mustila from Sakhalin Island. It differs from the other spindle species at the Arboretum in its strong branches, large buds, and particularly large fruits. The first bright green shoots appear early in spring. The dangling seed cases which develop in late summer open lantern-like or propeller-shaped to release the orange-coated seeds.

The Euonymus-genus includes several beautiful species. To many, the dingle dangle tree is one of the best. Compared with its European relation, the common spindle tree (E. europaeus), this species is larger and more open in habit, with larger leaves. It also differs in its drooping branches and larger seed pods. In autumn colour it competes in beauty with the winged spindle (E. alatus).

This American spindle species has outward curving branches and, given time, develops into dense thickets. In late spring it flowers dark red, distinguishing this species from most of the spindles, but the flowers are almost hidden by the foliage. The leaves take on handsome red autumn shades, which brighten Mustila’s Etelärinne (Southern Slope). In late autumn the small but numerous aniline-red fruit cases open to reveal the orange arils covering the seeds.