NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Lindera benzoin
Northern Spicebush
Scientific Name: |
Lindera benzoin |
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Genus: |
Lindera |
Species Epithet: |
benzoin |
Common Name: |
Northern Spicebush |
Plant Type |
Shrub |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Lauraceae (Laurel Family) |
Native/Alien: |
NC Native |
Invasive Status: |
(*Key) |
Size: |
6-12 ft., 12-36 ft. |
Bloom Color(s): |
Yellow |
Light: |
Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Moist, Wet |
Bloom Time: |
March, April |
Growing Area: |
Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain |
Habitat Description: |
Rich alluvial forests, mesic forests on slopes with circumneutral soils, bottomlands, swamps. Common to very common in the mountains, Piedmont, and brownwater river floodplains in the Coastal Plain, such as the Roanoke River floodplain. Uncommon and somewhat local over most of the rest of the Coastal Plain, including the Sandhills. Can often be the dominant shrub species in some rich floodplains and very rich/mafic slopes. |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Alternate |
Leaf Retention: |
Deciduous |
Leaf Type: |
Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like |
Leaf Form: |
Simple |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
Highest Wildlife Value |
Landscape Value: |
Highly Recommended and Available |
State Rank: |
S5: Secure (*Key) |
Global Rank: |
G5 - Secure (*Key) |
Notes: |
Flowers bloom before leaves emerge. Plants are dioecious so you need both male and female plants for fruit set. |
Fruit of Lindera benzoin in August Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux |
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Stems in March with flowering buds just beginning to open Orange County NC Bettina Darveaux |
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Close-up of swollen flower buds in early March. Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux |
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Close-up of male flowers opening in early March. Spicebush is a dioecious species- individuals produce either all male or all female flowers. Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux |
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