Spicebush
Scientific Name: Lindera benzoin
— pronounced lin-DER-ah BEN-zo-een
— Lindera is in honor of the Swedish botanist, John Linder (1676-1723).
— benzoin is ultimately from the Arabic name for benzoic acid, obtained from a tree (Styrax benzoin) of Indonesia; the aroma of Spicebush bark resembles benzoic acid.
Family: Laurel (Lauraceae), consisting of about 2850 species of trees and shrubs. Most have aromatic oils in their bark and some in their leaves as well.
Examples are Sassafras, Avocado, Bay Laurel, and Cinnamon.
Other Common Names: Common Spicebush, Northern Spicebush, Benjamin Bush (an alteration of benzoin!)
Spicebush is a multi-stem shrub that can grow 6-12 feet high. It has glossy, elliptical leaves with smooth margins. The crushed leaves have a spicy aroma. The leaves turn yellow in the fall.
The bark is smooth and brown or gray-brown in color. It is dotted with white lenticels (pores).
— pronounced lin-DER-ah BEN-zo-een
— Lindera is in honor of the Swedish botanist, John Linder (1676-1723).
— benzoin is ultimately from the Arabic name for benzoic acid, obtained from a tree (Styrax benzoin) of Indonesia; the aroma of Spicebush bark resembles benzoic acid.
Family: Laurel (Lauraceae), consisting of about 2850 species of trees and shrubs. Most have aromatic oils in their bark and some in their leaves as well.
Examples are Sassafras, Avocado, Bay Laurel, and Cinnamon.
Other Common Names: Common Spicebush, Northern Spicebush, Benjamin Bush (an alteration of benzoin!)
Spicebush is a multi-stem shrub that can grow 6-12 feet high. It has glossy, elliptical leaves with smooth margins. The crushed leaves have a spicy aroma. The leaves turn yellow in the fall.
The bark is smooth and brown or gray-brown in color. It is dotted with white lenticels (pores).
Photos: David Rosher
Spicebush blooms in early spring, before the leaves emerge. The flowers are small and yellow, arranged in clusters on the branches.
The fruit is a bright red berry that matures in late summer.
Spicebush blooms in early spring, before the leaves emerge. The flowers are small and yellow, arranged in clusters on the branches.
The fruit is a bright red berry that matures in late summer.
Photos: flowers by Phillip Bouchard, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0; fruit by David Rosher
For more info and photos: Virginia Tech Dendrology sheet
Habitat: Spicebush is found in the understory of rich deciduous woods, in moist to moderately moist conditions and is often common on well-drained sites in bottomlands and floodplain forests. Here in the Preserve, it is prevalent along the Deer Trail and the lower part of the Salamander Trail. It’s also occasionally found in more upland locations, scattered throughout the Preserve.
Interesting Facts:
For more info and photos: Virginia Tech Dendrology sheet
Habitat: Spicebush is found in the understory of rich deciduous woods, in moist to moderately moist conditions and is often common on well-drained sites in bottomlands and floodplain forests. Here in the Preserve, it is prevalent along the Deer Trail and the lower part of the Salamander Trail. It’s also occasionally found in more upland locations, scattered throughout the Preserve.
Interesting Facts:
- Spicebush is the host plant for the caterpillar of the Spicebush Swallowtail.
Photos: David Rosher
For more on the Spicebush Swallowtail, go to this University of Florida entomology page – and keep scrolling down for great photos of its lifecycle.
Spicebush berries are high in fat and energy, making them ideal fuel for birds during fall migration.
For more on the Spicebush Swallowtail, go to this University of Florida entomology page – and keep scrolling down for great photos of its lifecycle.
Spicebush berries are high in fat and energy, making them ideal fuel for birds during fall migration.