Lindera melissifolia (Walter) Blume. Southern Spicebush, Pondberry. Phen: Mar-Apr; Aug-Sep. Hab: Pondcypress savannas, wet flats and depressions, generally with pocosin shrubs. Dist: This species is southern in range, with a very scattered distribution in se. and c. NC, e. SC, e. & sw. GA, nw. FL, sw. AL (?), nw. MS, se. MO-AR, and se. AR-LA (recent collections unknown from FL and LA). It is nearly extirpated in NC, currently known only from three populations, in Sampson, Bladen, and Cumberland counties. A historic record from Orange County, NC (in the lower Piedmont), collected by Elisha Mitchell in 1820 and 1822, appears to be bonafide (McVaugh, McVaugh, & Ayers 1996).

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Synonymy: = Ar, Fl2, FNA3, K1, K3, K4, WH3, Wofford (1983); = Benzoin melissaefolium (Walter) Nees – S, S13; = Lindera melissaefolia – F, GW2, RAB, orthographic variant; = n/a – C

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL

Heliophily: 4