Spindletree is a genus of deciduous or evergreen flowering shrubs containing about 140 species and several cultivars. The species are native to a vast area from North America, Europe, Asia, North Africa, and Australia. In nature, it is often found in mixed deciduous forests or natural areas in low woodlands. The genus name comes from the Ancient Greek name for the plant. It is a member of the bittersweet family (Celastraceae). The shrubs can be grown in a wide variety of soils, including clay, and tolerate both drought and wet soils to a degree. Many species are tolerant of partial shade to full sun. The plant has opposite and simple leaves. On some species, the leaves provide dramatic red color in the fall and early winter, and for this reason, the plants are often grown as ornamental specimens or hedges. The flowers are small, 4-parted, and often greenish maroon in color. The flowers are followed in the fall by a reddish, pink, ivory to yellow capsule which splits to reveal orange-red seeds. The seeds are attractive to birds, which can spread the seeds. Some species have escaped cultivation and become weedy pests. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Euonymus scale is a problem with most species of this plant. Spindletree can be weedy in disturbed areas around houses and buildings. Note that some species ( E. alatus in particular) are listed in some of the United States as invasive species. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High; Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Climbing; Erect; Multi-stemmed
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong
Leaf margin
Crenulate; Dentate; Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Depending on species, leaves can be 1/2 to 6 inches long. Leaves alternate to subopposite or opposite, sometimes clustered on short shoots, simple, usually with small stipules. Blade margins entire or toothed; venation pinnate.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower form
Cyme; Solitary
Flower shape
Saucer
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small terminal or axillary, cymes in white, red, yellow, green, or purple. Small, 4-parted, greenish maroon flowers. Disk usually present. Three to 6 sepals (3–)4–5(–6), free or united at the base, and persistent. Two to six stamens opposite the sepals, free or with filaments partly united, inserted outside, on or inside disk.