European spindle tree, flowering from May to June.
The fruits ripen from September to October and then open with four flaps. The white, egg-shaped seeds are completely covered by a thin, orange seed coat.
Because the fruit resembles the biretta, the Catholic priest, the plant is called Pfaffenhütchen.
All parts of the Pfaffenhütchen plant are poisonous.
The Pfaffenhütchen is a valuable field tree for erosion control, bank and embankment restoration.
Because of its beautiful autumn colouring, the red fruits, the Pfaffenhütchen is often planted as an ornamental shrub in gardens and parks.