Lindera benzoin (Northern Spicebush)

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LAURACEAE

Lindera benzoin (Linnaeus) Blume. Common name: Northern Spicebush, Benzoin, Benjamin-bush. Phenology: Mar-Apr; Aug-Sep. Habitat: Rich alluvial forests, mesic forests on slopes with circumneutral soils, bottomlands, swamps. Distribution: ME, s. ON, and MI, south to Panhandle FL and e. TX; disjunct in Edwards Plateau of c. TX.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: Some floristic treatments recognize two varieties based on whether the leaves and young twigs are pubescent (var. pubescens) or not (var. benzoin) but the varieties so recognized overlap broadly in distribution; it seems best to regard this as mere variation within the species.

Other Comments: Where occurring on upland slopes, L. benzoin is an excellent indicator of base-rich soils, generally derived from calcareous sedimentary rocks or mafic metamorphic or igneous rocks.

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Can, Fl2, FNA3, GrPl, GW2, K4, Mi, Mo3, NE, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, RAB, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3, WV, Wofford (1983); = Benzoin aestivale (L.) Nees — S, S13; = Benzoin benzoin (L.) J.M.Coult.; = Laurus benzoin L. > Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume var. benzoin — AqW, C, F, G, Il; > Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume var. pubescens (E.J.Palmer & Steyerm.) Rehder — C, F, G, Il, NcTx, Tx. Basionym: Laurus benzoin L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Lindera benzoin - FNA3

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Wetland Indicator Status:

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW
Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
Great Plains: FACW
Midwest: FACW
Northcentral & Northeast: FACW

Heliophily ⓘ: 3

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Horticultural Information

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Height: 6-9 ft.

plant sale text: Smooth northern spicebush is a welcome harbinger of spring, featuring axillary clusters of tiny yellow flowers before the leaves appear. Female plants produce red fruits in the autumn. All parts of the plant have a lemon scent when broken, hence its common name of spicebush. Rarely offered for sale, though it is easy to grow in average to moist soil. Host plant for spicebush butterflies and supports up to 9 species of lepidoptera. Used medicinally by several tribes. Its red berries are important food for birds during fall migration.

bloom table text: Smooth northern spicebush is a welcome harbinger of spring, featuring axillary clusters of tiny yellow flowers before the leaves appear. Female plants produce red fruits in the autumn. All parts of the plant have a lemon scent when broken, hence its common name of spicebush. Rarely offered for sale, though it is easy to grow in average to moist soil. Host plant for spicebush butterflies and supports up to 9 species of lepidoptera. Used medicinally by several tribes. Its red berries are important food for birds during fall migration.

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native range: eastern North America

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Horticultural Information