Lindera benzoin
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- lin-DER-ah BEN-zo-een
- Description
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Spicebush is a deciduous shrub in the laurels family (Lauraceae). It is native to central and eastern United States and is found in bottomlands, dry forests, ravines, valleys, swamps and along streams. The genus name refers to Johann Linder (1676-1723), a Swedish botanist and physician. The specific epithet is an Arabic word for aromatic gum.
The easy-to-grow shrub prefers moist, well-drained soils in part shade. More watering is required if grown in full sun. The broad, rounded shape is less dense and spreads more in heavy shade. On average, it grows 6-12’ tall and wide. A male plant is needed to pollinate the female plant. Propagation is by seeds or softwood cuttings.
Aromatic axillary clusters of tiny, greenish-yellow flowers bloom in early spring before the foliage emerges. When pollinated, the female shrub produces attractive, bright red drupes with a peppery taste and scent. They are more visible after the foliage drops. The crushed leaves have a spicy fragrance and showy yellow fall color. Pollinators feed on the nectar, some butterfly larva chew on the leaves, and birds eat the fruit. The essential oil of the young leaves and twigs can be used in teas.
Plant the Spicebush in shrub borders, pollinator gardens, native gardens, woodlands, and rain gardens. Grow in shaded areas and moist areas along streams or ponds.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. This plant is susceptible to laurel wilt.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Native Plant Demonstration Garden All Saints' Episcopal Church
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Rubra'
- 'Xanthocarpa'
- 'Rubra'
- 'Rubra', 'Xanthocarpa'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Rubra'
- 'Xanthocarpa'
- 'Rubra'
- 'Rubra', 'Xanthocarpa'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lindera
- Species:
- benzoin
- Family:
- Lauraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Essential oils from this plants leaves, twigs, and fruits, have been used in teas. The fragrant fruits are sometimes dried and used in sachets. Native Americans have been known to use the dried fruits of this plant as a spice, and the leaves of this plant for tea.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South East Canada to Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes) larvae which has two flights from March-December with a partial 3rd flight in the South. The adult butterflies feed on nectar from flowers like sweet pepperbush, thistles, blue flag, and azalea. This plant also supports Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) larvae which have 2 generations per year from April-October. Adult Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies feed on nectar from Japanese honeysuckle, jewelweed, thistles, milkweed, azalea, dogbane, lantana, mimosa, and sweet pepperbush. Also a host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly. Fruits are eaten by songbirds, especially during fall migration. White-tailed deer will browse twigs and leaves.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Nesting
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- fire in the landscape.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- A drupe, scarlet red spicy scented fruit in late Summer/early Fall (August-September) 1/2' wide.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- The Spice bush has clusters of tiny, apetalous, aromatic, greenish-yellow flowers that bloom along the branches in early spring before the foliage emerges (March-April). It has dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants), with the male flowers being larger and showier than the female ones. The flowers of female plants give way to bright red drupes. Female plants need a male pollinator in order to set fruit (scarlet red), however. It's drupes are very attractive, but are largely hidden by the foliage until the leaves drop.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The Spice bush has thick, alternate, oblong-obovate, light green leaves (to 5" long) turn an attractive yellow in autumn. Leaves are aromatic (spicy fragrance) when crushed.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Lenticels
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Description:
- Has a spicy fragrance
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Fire
- Wet Soil
