[2] The inconspicuous flowers occur in small groups, and can be green, yellow, pink or maroon in color depending on species.

[4] The leaves are opposite (rarely alternate) and simple ovoid, typically 2–15 cm long, and usually with a finely serrated margin.

The fruit is a pink or white four- or five-valved pod-like berry, which splits open to reveal the fleshy-coated orange or red seeds.

[5] The wood of some species was traditionally used to make spindles for spinning wool;[6] this use is the origin of the British English name of the shrubs.

Euonymus are popular garden shrubs, grown for their foliage, the deciduous species often exhibiting very bright red autumnal colours, and also for the decorative berries.