Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
Identifying Features
Plant Family: Lauraceae
Native Range: Eastern North America
Leaf: deciduous, alternate, simple, leaf margin smooth, up to 6 inches long
Twig and Bud: stems are greenish-tan with light colored lenticels
Flower, Fruit and Seed: yellow flowers appear before leaves in early spring, flowers are dioecious (male and female on separate plants), fruits on pollinated female plants are ½ inch long and bright red
Bark: mature bark is dark brown
Shape and Mature Height: broad, round shrub, 6-12 feet
Garden Value and Considerations
Spicebush can grow under many soil and light conditions. Its greenish-yellow flowers add color to the landscape in early spring. It is adorned with bright red fruits and yellow foliage in the fall.
Notes
Spicebush is typically found in moist woods including bottomlands, swamps or along streams. The name, spicebush, refers to the spicy aroma of the leaves, stems and fruit. Rub the leaves to smell it yourself. The fruits are high in lipids and are an important energy source for birds preparing for winter. Spicebush is a host plant for spicebush swallowtail caterpillars.
