Euonymus europaeus (spindle, European spindle, common spindle) is a species of flowering plant in the family Celastraceae, native to much of Europe, where it inhabits the edges of forest, hedges and gentle slopes, tending to thrive on nutrient-rich, chalky and salt-poor soils. 

It is a deciduous shrub or small tree. 

The leaves are opposite, lanceolate to elliptical, 3-8 cm long and 1-3 cm broad, with a finely serrated edge. 

Leaves are dark green in summer. 

Fall color ranges from yellow-green to reddish-purple, depending on environmental conditions. 

The hermaphrodite flowers are produced in late spring and are insect-pollinated; they are rather inconspicuous, small, yellowish green and grow in cymes of 3-8 together. 

The capsular fruit ripens in autumn, and is red to purple or pink in colour and approximately 1-1.5 cm wide. 

When ripe, the four lobes split open to reveal the seeds. 

It is a popular ornamental plant in gardens and parks due to its bright pink or purple fruits and attractive autumn colouring, in addition to its resistance to frost and wind.