Can someone please ID whether I have Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)?

16 years ago

Hi,

In my yard, I have a number of shrubs which seem to fit the description (photos/information) of Spicebush (Lindera benzoin). The dark green leaves smell like strong 'lemony' citrus.

Can I please mail some leaves to someone who would accurately be able to ID the plant as being or not being Spicebush?

Let me know.

Thanks,

Steve

Comments (8)

Iris GW
16 years ago
You can't scan them and post a picture? I have several lindera benzoin that I could compare them to. My leaves are not dark green though, more of a medium green (could be lack of fertilizer).

You can send them to me if you want.
hideglue
16 years ago
Steve, if you have a number of them on your property then chances are you have quite a few glossy green - soon to be red - berries.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1063101}}
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carol23_gw
16 years ago
In my mind's eye, Lindera foliage is fairly nondescript so I usually bruise a leaf for the telltale aromatic foliage which I liken to Sassafras and lemons. If you don't smell that scent, it's not spicebush.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lindera benzoin
kimber_07
16 years ago
stolling through the native forum, i have read alot about the spicebush. im interested in learning more!! is it a sun only plant, or could i plant it in a shady place? how big does it get? could i get one in a nursery, or have to get it online, or what? i live in central ohio, would it grow well here?
fossilbob
16 years ago
I know it as a bush of wet woods. It was the most common shrub in the 10 square mile "Big Grove" at Urbana, Ill, in the 1820's. I would think partial to full shade would be best...don't know if it will grow well in full sun.

It's a small shrub...6-7 feet tall? Should grow just fine in Ohio...does great in Illinois.

I always grab a leaf or two when walking by...smells SO good! :)
ladyslppr
16 years ago
Spicebush is a neat plant to grow in a woodland or shady garden, but isn't distinctive looking or very dense in habit, so it is rarely seen as a hedge, foundation shrub, or specimen out in a conspicuous place. As someone wrote it is rather nondescript looking most of the summer. In late summer the female plants eat lots of bright red berries that are amoung the most favored berries eaten by many species of birds. The spicebush swallowtail butterfly lays eggs on spicebush and larvae eat only speicebush leaves (or perhaps one or two other plant species). I have read that in colonial times spicebush was considered an indicator of rich soils. In more recent times spicebush has thrived because deer don't eat it as readily as some other shrubs.
laceyvail 6A, WV
16 years ago
It will grown in sun and it will grow in shade and is quite drought resistant once established. Plants are sold as seedlings and you need a male and a female to get the red berries, so when you order, you need to order several.
fossilbob
16 years ago
"you need a male and a female to get the red berries"

I did not know that...! A good thing that I have a number of plants. :)

Can someone please ID whether I have Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)?

Comments (8)

Iris GW

hideglue

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