Fruit of European Spindle

The European Spindle - Polish: Trzmielina (Euonymus europaeus) is a shrub that can be found in lower elevations of the Polish mountains. It can reach height up to 3 meters. It blooms in May. The capsular fruit is red to purple or pink in color. When ripe, the four lobes split open and reveal the 4 orange seeds. The entire plant including fruits is poisonous. Since birds do not eat the fruits they remain on the plant long after the leaves have fallen. The Low Beskid - Slope of Mount Mogila - November 11, 2008.