Euonymus europaeus

European spindle is in the Celastraceae family and is deciduous shrub or small tree native to much of Europe, growing up to 6 m tall.

• Leaves are in opposite pairs, lanciolate, 3–8 cm long and 1–3 cm broad, with finely serrated margins, turning from green, to yellow-green or yellowish-purple in the fall.
• Flowers are produced in late spring and are inconspicuous, small yellow-green and grow in groups of 3–8 together.
• Fruit develops into 4-lobed capsules 1–1.5 cm wide, ripening in autumn into a colorful display of red or pink capsules. When ripe, the lobes split open to reveal orange seeds.