shrub
Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
Low riskEdiblecommon
Lemon-spice crushed leaves. The understory compass of rich creek woods.
A multi-stem shrub. Tiny yellow flowers before leaves. Leaves and twigs smell of lemon-allspice. Female plants hold red oval berries.
- Habitat
- Moist woods, especially with pawpaw.
- Season
- Flower March; berries September.
- Size
- 6–12 ft
- Field marks
- Citrus smell; early yellow fuzz flowers; red berries
Use
Twig tea. Dried berries as an allspice stand-in. Host plant for spicebush swallowtail.