What is this plant?

[sammy_roser]

Went picking sloe berries and blackberries today and came across this plant. What on earth is it? The pink thinks are rock solid and once you get into them contain 4 orange looking seeds. I think it's very pretty and was wondering if I could grow it myself.

[Jeanied]

That is a spindle tree - sign of a very ancient hedgerow if it is in a mixed hedge.

[Thelma Sanders]

It a Spindle tree (Euonymus phellomanus)


Seconded

[veggiechicken]

Thirded Spindle tree | Natural History Museum
Be aware that the berries may be poisonous! The Woodland Trust | Tree guide | Spindle
Is any part of the tree poisonous? The berries are a strong laxative/purgative
Human uses of tree and timber Spindle gets it's name from one of the uses of the twigs- as the spindles used to spin raw wool (the wool is wrapped around the twig) . This is because the twigs are straight and smooth yet heavy. The twigs were also used for skewers, toothpicks, pegs and knitting needles (hence some of its other names). In the past the berries were used as a laxative or baked and powdered and used as a treatment for headlice

[sammy_roser]

Thanks for all the info guys Guess it's not something I should have in the garden with a house full of kitties.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks for all the info guys Guess it's not something I should have in the garden with a house full of kitties.

Only if the kitties are constipated

[Two_Sheds]

it's not something I should have in the garden with a house full of kitties.

Do your kitties normally eat berries then?

If not, then there's no reason why they'd suddenly start eating spindleberries

[sammy_roser]

True, but I have recently gotten a new kitten who chews everything in the house including the few house plants, Once she has been outside for a while if she doesn't try to eat the vegetation I will give it a go

Any ideas the best way to grow one? Can I save the berries for seeds or is it best to grow it from a cutting?

[bazzaboy]

Any ideas the best way to grow one? Can I save the berries for seeds or is it best to grow it from a cutting?

Aha this key question still unanswered... am about to try with some seed (see photo) and wondered if they should be put in the fridge for a time? Evidently Spindle was once fairly common in hedgerows but removed by farmers as poisonous to livestock so became quite scarce but is now making something of a comeback under rural developments, countryside walks etc....