Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

spicebush

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Lindera benzoin

Family:

Lauraceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

to 10 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow

Fruit Color:

red

Phenology:

deciduous

Noted For:

Showy Fruits, Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Naturalistic settings and informal wet hammock settings.

Considerations:

Like it's relative redbay(Persea borbonia), it's susceptible to attacks by the redbay ambrosia beetle, which spreads a deadly fungus called Laural Wilt. While we need to keep planting them for the butterflies, just be aware that you might lose it to this wilt. Maybe if we plant enough, that we'll find some that are resistant.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed, Friends

Propagation:

Light:

Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Organic

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Caterpillars, Birds



  • Larval host for the spice bush swallowtail and other butterflies. 


  • Attracts bees and flies.


Birds and mammals eat the fruits.

Native Habitats:

Bluffs, floodplains, calcareous hammocks. Rare.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Spicy smell to crushed foliage.



Florida is at the southern end of the range for this species, and the range is likely disjoint with the species occurring in areas where appropriate drainage conditions (seepy) are common.