Mystery shrub for ID

[allysoun]

I came across a small tree or shrub growing on land that sometimes gets flooded near the bank of the Lune (a tidal river) in Lancaster. It has simple opposite leaves and a peculiar magenta coloured flower/bract with a small orangey red seed case or fruit dangling from it. Can anyone identify it?







Sorry about the small twig - I lost a bit on the way back.

[Wild-Woman]

This looks like Spindle to me.

[Hedge Witch]

I'm sure it's a spindle, Euonymus europaeus. Nice find, I know for a fact they are not at all common that far North.

Nice to see one with fruit - something eats all the spindle fruits in my garden before they get to be that beautiful. But my tree has turned a glorious red colour now - makes up for the lack of fruit.

[The Woodman]

Yes, it's definately a Spindle. They can be found in North Lancs and South Cumbria. Roudsea Wood NNR has some fine specimens.

[kiwi]

spindle like the others say strange because when i was about to click on this thread i thouhgt it would be spindle that couldn't be identified

I found some a while back round at Stirchley we've moved now hooray.(to many chavs )

[allysoun]

Wow, thanks everyone!