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Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume

Spice Bush

Modern name

Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume

Synonyms

Laurus benzoin L.; Benzoin aestivale Nees

A spicily aromatic, deciduous shrub 6 to 12 ft high, forming a rounded bush as much in diameter; young shoots glabrous or slightly downy. Leaves pinnately veined, obovate, 2 to 5 in. long, 1 to 212 in. wide, tapered towards both ends, but more gradually towards the stalk, not toothed, thin, glabrous above, glabrous or slightly downy and glaucous beneath, margins ciliate; stalk 14 to 12 in. long. Flowers greenish yellow, small, and not showy; produced in tiny clusters during April from the joints of last year’s naked shoots; the sexes are on separate plants; corolla none; calyx with six lobes. Fruits red, oval, 13 in. long, juicy.

Native of the eastern United States; introduced in 1683. When crushed the leaf emits a pungent spicy odour too strong to be quite pleasant. This species is perfectly hardy at Kew, where it makes a neat bush of no particular merit or distinction.


Genus

Lindera

Other species in the genus