Northern Spicebush Plant Profile
Northern Spicebush (Lindera
benzoin) is a deciduous shrub in the Laurel family that is also known as
Spicebush (Spice Bush), Wild Allspice, and Benjamin Bush. It is native from
southeastern Canada throughout the eastern United States.
It gets its common name from the fact that crushing the
leaves releases a spicy fragrance.
In early spring, the plant is covered in small, yellow
flowers then it leafs out.
In the fall, the leaves turn an attractive yellow color and
red drupes (fruits) appear along its branches. It is dioecious so a female
plant needs a male one nearby in order to produce fruit.
It can grow to between 6 and 12 feet high and wide. It is an
understory plant that prefers part-shade and moist, rich soils near streambeds
and ponds. It is hardy from zones 5 through 9.
The plant supports Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) as well as the
Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes) and
other pollinators. The fruits are eaten by migrating songbirds and deer eat its
leaves and twigs.
Northern Spicebush:
You Can Grow That!
The video was produced
by Washington Gardener Magazine as part of our Plant Profile
series for Mid-Atlantic USA gardeners.
Video and editing by Jessica Harden
Audio and text by Kathy Jentz
Photo by Julie Mackin
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