Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume

Smooth Northern Spicebush; Benjamin Bush

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Smooth Northern Spicebush is a native deciduous shrub in the Laurel family (Lauraceae). It can be found throughout most of Alabama. Smooth Northern Spicebush occurs along streams, in moist to wet forests, and in uplands areas over limestone. It is a deciduous shrub from 6-12 feet in height. Young twigs are glabrous or slightly pubescent with small, round, white lenticels. Leaves are alternate, elliptic to obovate in outline, and have ciliate margins. Leaves may be glabrous or densely pubescent. The leaves are aromatic when crushed, and become a bright, clear yellow before falling. Flowers are produced in the early spring before the leaves. Smooth Northern Spicebush is often one of the first plants to flower in woodlands. Flowers are produced in axillary, nearly umbellate clusters. Smooth Northern Spicebush is dioecious, with male and female flowers produced on different plants. The male flowers are larger and showier than the female flowers. Flowers have 6 yellow tepals and are aromatic. The fruit is a bright red, ellipsoid drupe which persists on the plant after leaf fall. Smooth Northern Spicebush is the larval food for the Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus), Promethea Moth (Callosamia promethea), and Tulip Tree Beauty Moth (Epimecis hortaria ). The fruit are eaten by many species of birds. Smooth Northern Spicebush is easy to grow in average to wet soils. It tolerates shade, but is more compact when grown in full sun. Smooth Northern Spicebush is often available in wildflower nurseries. It can also be grown from seed or cuttings. Seed should have the red pulp removed and then be planted outdoors soon after they are harvested to allow for cold stratification. Cuttings of young twigs taken in the late spring usually root fairly well in sand.--A. Diamond

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Native FACW (NWPL)

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