Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

Lindera benzoin, aka spicebush, is a shrub native to eastern North America with broad, rounded habit typically growing 6-12' high. Clusters of tiny, aromatic, yellow flowers bloom along the branches in early spring before the foliage emerges. Flowers of female plants give way to bright red drupes which mature in fall. Thick, obovate, light green leaves turn a bright yellow in autumn. Leaves are aromatic when crushed. The berries that ripen in early fall have a taste similar to allspice and can be used in baking and pies. Spicebush provides a year-round culinary source, even down to the hardy winter twigs. While it’s now gaining some popularity for its culinary uses, Spicebush has a long history of culinary and medicinal uses among first nations people. The larva/caterpillar of the spicebush swallowtail butterfly feeds on the leaves of this shrub and is an important host plant.