Lindera benzoin (spicebush)

Lindera benzoin (spicebush). . Family: Lauraceae (Laurel Family), Distribution: Spicebush can be found throughout the central and eastern United States and into Ontario. It can be found in every county in West Virginia., Size: 3-16 ft. tall, Habitat/Description: This shrub, sometimes a small tree, is an understory species that often forms thickets in low woods, stream sides, and swamp margins. It prefers rich, mesic sites that have acidic to basic soils exposed to full or partial sun. It flowers in March and April and the red berries typically mature from August to October. The leaves turn bright yellow in the fall. Deer, rabbits, raccoons, opossums, and over 20 species of birds, especially wood thrushes, browse the leaves and berries of spicebush. This wildlife browsing aids in seed dispersal. Both the Eastern tiger swallowtail and the spicebush swallowtail use this plant as a place to lay eggs and as food for their caterpillars after eggs hatch. A sweet and spicy fragrance of the stems, leaves, and fruits inspired its common name. Spicebush is native and non-invasive., Ethnobotanical Uses: Native Americans used the dried fruits of spicebush as flavoring for tea. Extracts from the plant have been used to create anti-arthritic, emetic, and sweat-inducing drugs. Herbal steams have been used to alleviate aches and pains. Early settlers used its presence to assess agricultural land quality. This is because it grew in areas with nutrient-rich soil.