Side by side
Winged spindle or spindle? How to tell them apart
Euonymus alatus · Euonymus europaeus
How to tell them apart – winged spindle: deciduous shrub with broad corky ridges on the twigs and a spectacular, fiery red autumn colour; spindle: a larger shrub with narrow or no corky ridges and large, pink, four-lobed fruits.
How do you recognise them?
- Winged spindle
- Deciduous shrub with broad corky ridges on the twigs and a spectacular, fiery red autumn colour.
- Spindle
- Shrub with square green twigs and striking pink fruits with orange seeds.
- Compared with winged spindle: a larger shrub with narrow or no corky ridges and large, pink, four-lobed fruits.
| Winged spindle | Spindle | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Opposite, 3–7 cm, elliptic, finely toothed; brilliant crimson to fiery red in autumn. | Opposite, oval to lance-shaped, 5–8 cm, finely toothed; red autumn colour. |
| Flowering | Small, greenish-yellow flowers in May–June (May–June). | Inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers in May (May–June). |
| Fruit | Small, reddish-purple capsules with orange seeds; poisonous. | Pink, four-lobed capsules that split open to reveal orange seeds (autumn); poisonous. |
| Bark | Green to brown twigs with two to four broad, corky wings. | Young twigs green and square, often with corky ridges. |
| Shape and height | Shrub, 1.5–3 m | Shrub, 2–5 m |
| Site | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, normal | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted | Yes |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | – | Yes, for butterflies and birds |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets |
| Pruning months | November–March | November–March |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Winged spindle is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
- Spindle is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
- Spindle is native: it feeds more insects and birds than a non-native species. If in doubt, choose this one.
Read on
- Plant profile: Winged spindle
- Plant profile: Spindle
- Winged spindle: when and how to prune
- Spindle: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.