Lindera benzoin

Spicebush

Medium growing shrub. Light green leaves turning bright yellow. Clusters of tiny, aromatic, greenish-yellow flowers bloom along the branches in early spring before the foliage emerges. Red fruit in fall that can be used as a spice similar to allspice.  Full sun to partial shade, deciduous, male and female needed to produce fruit.

Spicebush Swallowtail (Palilio troilus) butterfly is found in the Eastern US, where this important shrub is this pollinator’s  host plant.

Height: 3-15 feet

Sun Requirements: Full sun to part shade

Water Requirements: Moist to wet soils

Flowers: Yellow tiny flowers March/April

Attracts: Small mammals, birds, bees, butterflies

Special Tolerances: Erosion control species

Important Butterfly Larval Host