Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume Northern spicebush, Spicebush

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Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Avenue
Austin, Texas 78739

Phone: 512.232.0100

Lauraceae (Laurel Family)
USDA Symbol: libe3
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Northern spicebush is a single- or few-stemmed, deciduous shrub, 6-12 ft. tall, with glossy leaves and graceful, slender, light green branches. Leaves alternate on the branchlets, up to 6 inches long and 2 1/2 inches wide, upper surface dark green, lower surface lighter in color, obovate, tapering more gradually to the base than to the tip, tip somewhat extended margins without teeth or lobes. Dense clusters of tiny, pale yellow flowers bloom before the leaves from globose buds along the twigs. Flowers occur in umbel-like clusters and are followed by glossy red fruit. Both the fruit and foliage are aromatic. Leaves turn a colorful golden-yellow in fall.

In the North this plant is thought of as the “forsythia of the wilds” because its early spring flowering gives a subtle yellow tinge to many lowland woods where it is common. A tea can be made from the aromatic leaves and twigs.

© 2012 Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center