Pfaffenhütchen are aesthetic trees whose fruits attract attention in summer. Despite their beauty, caution should be exercised when there are children or pets in the garden. The plant parts are tough and should not be consumed.
What does a Pfaffenhütchen look like and is it poisonous?
The Pfaffenhütchen (Euonymus europaeus) is a deciduous shrub that reaches heights of 2-6 meters. It is characterized by inconspicuous flowers, striking fruits and intense autumn colors. The plant is poisonous, especially the seeds, and can cause abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting if consumed.
Growth
The European Pfaffenhütchen develops several trunks and a sparsely branched crown. Depending on the location, the shrub grows to heights of between two and six meters. In width, the tree can reach dimensions of one and a half to four meters. The bark of the often square branches is gray-brown in color. In some specimens the branches form two to four narrow cork strips.
Leaves, flowers and fruits
Euonymus europaeus develops deciduous leaves that are arranged oppositely. They appear egg-shaped and are up to eight centimeters long. Their upper surface is colored dull green, while the underside appears lighter. Pfaffenhütchen develop intense autumn colors that range from bright golden yellow to carmine red.
The flowers of the Pfaffenhütchen are fourfold and inconspicuously pale green. The small individual flowers are clustered in groups of two to six in long-stemmed umbels. The bushes bloom between May and June. The sweet nectar attracts numerous insects, wild bees and bumblebees.
The species is named after the typically shaped fruits, which are pink to carmine red in color and have four chambers, each with a seed. The capsules burst open between September and October so that the seeds hang out on long stalks. They are popular food sources for robins and tits.
Occurrences
The spindle bush is found in southern and central Europe, where it grows wild between Spain and the Volga. Some distribution areas are in Asia Minor. Pfaffenhütchen populate forest edges and floodplain forests. They shape field trees and hedgerows. In Germany the species occurs extensively from the lowlands to the Alps, where it is ranked 1st.000 meters rises.
Toxicity
All parts of the plant and especially seeds of the Pfaffenhütchen are poisonous. The poisonous effect has been known since ancient times. Nevertheless, various parts of the plant have been used medicinally in the past. In humans, it can take up to 18 hours for the first symptoms to appear. Pets can die after eating the plant parts.
Typical complaints:
- Construction pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- repeated vomiting
