Native Plants of PA: Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

Phonetic Spelling 

lin-DER-ah BEN-zoh-een

Background 

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), also known as Northern spicebush and wild allspice, is in the laurel family (Lauraceae). The genus, Lindera, commemorates a Swedish botanist, Johann Linder. The common name, and specific epithet, benzoin, comes from the Arabic word meaning aromatic gum, referring to the fragrant scent produced by all parts of the plant. The sweet and peppery smell is akin to allspice, as suggested by the alternative common name, wild allspice. All parts of the plant are edible, with a historical use for flavoring foods, teas, and as medicine. The dried and powdered red fruits can be used as a substitute for allspice.

Description 

Size

Spicebush is a deciduous shrub native to Pennsylvania with a broad, rounded habit, and typically grows 6 to 12 feet tall. Most plants reproduce asexually by root suckers.  

Flower 

Spicebush is one of the first shrubs to bloom in Pennsylvania forests. In early spring, clusters of stalked flowers appear at the nodes of last year's growth before leaves emerge. Spicebush is dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are found on different plants; all flowers have 6 short, yellow sepals.

Fruit

In the fall, red, shiny, elliptical fruits with a single seed, called drupes, will replace female flowers in clusters along nodes.  

Leaves 

Leaves are simple, alternate, deciduous, and smooth on the lower surface, 3-6 inches in length. Leaves are largest at the branch tip and decrease in size as they move down the stem. Leaf shape varies from obovate, meaning widest above the middle, to oblong, and has a smooth or entire margin. Fall foliage is yellow.

Stems

The stems of spicebush are smooth, with conspicuous pores that appear as bumps along the stem. These pores are called lenticels and are a site for gas exchange. When bruised, the stems will produce the same spicy, sweet fragrance as all other parts of the plant. 

Wildlife Uses 

Spicebush is utilized by a variety of insects, birds, and mammals. It is the larval host for several species of swallowtail butterflies, including the spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus), the eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), and the promethea silkmoth (Callosamia promethea), also known as the spicebush moth. The grubs of the sassafras borer (Oberea ruficollis) will bore into the branches and roots of spicebush. 

Spicebush fruit composition is nearly 50% fat, and they become ripe in the fall. This seasonal timing and high fat content make them a great fuel source for fall migrants and over-wintering resident birds. They are a particular favorite of the wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), veery (Catharus fuscescens), northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), and gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), among others. Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) and other small mammals may feed on the leaves, twigs, and berries of spicebush. The spicy, sweet fragrance produced by the stems and foliage may provide some deterrence to animal browsing.  

Use in the Landscape 

As a medium-sized shrub, spicebush prefers to be planted in an area where it has room to fill in. It can grow to 12 feet high and equally wide. For those interested in container gardening with Pennsylvania natives, spicebush can be an excellent choice. It will need to be grown in a pot of at least 7 gallons to support its root system. It may be useful to keep the plant in a plastic container and place the plastic pot inside a more ornamental one to conceal it. This allows for easy removal of the plant if winter temperatures threaten the root zone.

Site Conditions 

Spicebush grows best on moist, calcium-rich sites and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to deep shade. In deeper shade, the habit will be more open, growing wider. Be careful not to plant too close to buildings. As a deciduous shrub, the ornamental value will be preserved through pruning for shape, rather than shearing, if needed. In a large shade garden, multiple spicebushes can be planted to create a productive understory representative of many woodland habitats found throughout Pennsylvania. Spicebush can make a formal hedge, but makes an even better loose border when planted with other native shrub species. Importantly, because spicebush does well in partial to full shade, it is a great candidate for native plant screening on a patio.

Spicebush is tolerant of a wide range of soils but grows best in rich, well-draining soils. Deer will browse spicebush but may pass by larger plants in the landscape. This means younger, newly planted specimens may need protection from deer browsing.