Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume
Spicebush, northern spicebush
Spicebush, named for the spicy odor its leaves produce when crushed, is a Florida native deciduous shrub. They are now found through much of the eastern United States.
Plants: The rounded shrubs are usually 6–12′ (1.8–3.7 m) in size, sometimes becoming a small tree, reaching up to 15′ (4.6 m). Bark is thin, and brown or gray-brown.
Leaves: Thick, alternate, entire, obovate, with smooth edges. Leaves are light green and up to 7 ⨉ 2½″ (18 ⨉ 7 cm).
Flowers: Dense clusters of yellow-green flowers emerge from branches before leaves appear in the spring. Each flower is ¼″ (6.3 mm) around, with six yellow or greenish-yellow sepals. Flowers are dioecious—some plants have male flowers and others have female.
Fruits: Female plants produce bright red oblong drupes up to ½″ (1.3 cm) long.
Habitats: Swamps, stream edges, and low riparian forests. They are now found through much of the eastern United States.
Online References:
9/13/2015 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (16 × 11 cm) 
3/20/2012 · Gunpowder Falls State Park, Phoenix Rd, Phoenix, Maryland · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (12 × 8.7 cm) 
ID is uncertain 
4/23/2016 · Big Tree/Porcupine Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, Massachusetts 
7/28/2017 · Porcupine Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 5 × 3″ (12 × 8.4 cm) 
10/3/2010 · Dingmans Falls, Dingmans Ferry, Delaware Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 15 cm) 
8/30/2016 · Massachusetts 
8/30/2016 · Massachusetts 
7/28/2017 · Porcupine Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 4″ (14 × 10 cm) 
3/19/2012 · Gunpowder Falls State Park, Cockeysville, Maryland · ≈ 4½ × 3½″ (11 × 8.6 cm) ID is uncertain 
10/3/2010 · Dingmans Falls, Dingmans Ferry, Delaware Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (54 × 36 cm) 
3/18/2012 · Gunpowder Falls State Park, Phoenix Rd., Phoenix, Maryland · ≈ 2½ × 2″ (7.2 × 5.4 cm) ID is uncertain 
9/13/2015 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 8 × 6″ (20 × 14 cm) 
9/13/2015 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 8 × 6″ (20 × 14 cm) 
9/13/2015 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 2½ × 2½″ (6.2 × 6.1 cm) 
9/13/2015 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 8″ (14 × 20 cm) 
7/28/2017 · Porcupine Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 4½ × 4″ (11 × 10 cm) 
7/28/2017 · Porcupine Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 4 × 6″ (11 × 16 cm) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | Includes magnolias, nutmeg, bay laurel, cinnamon, avocado, black pepper, and many others |
| Order | Laurales | Trees and shrubs, including bay laurels, cinnamon, avocado, sassafras and others |
| Family | Lauraceae | Laurel family, mostly tropical evergreens |
| Genus | Lindera | Honors Johann Linder (1676-1723), a Swedish botanist and physician. |
| Species | benzoin | From the Arabic vernacular word meaning aromatic gum. |
Lindera benzoin description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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