Lindera benzoin (Northern Spicebush)

Lindera benzoin is known as the Northern Spicebush, or Wild Allspice. This is an early blooming deciduous understory tree primarily occurring in shady, moist woods. It blooms early in the season, from March to May. Branches erupt in small yellow clusters of flowers, an important early nectar source for emerging pollinating insects, such as mining bees, small mason bees, sweat bees, and hoverflies. Berries will ripen from green to jewel red by September, and feed many birds, such as cedar waxwings, cardinals, thrushes, and robins.

One of spicebush's standout ecological roles is as the primary host for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly (Papilio troilus), whose caterpillars have markings mimicking snake eyespots to startle predators. The caterpillars curl up and hide in the wide spicebush leaves for shelter when not feeding.

Spicebush has a history of culinary use, particularly by Indigenous peoples and early settlers in North America. Various parts of the plant, including the berries, twigs, and leaves, have a spicy/peppery scent, and can be used for flavoring and teas. The red, ripe berries can be dried and ground for use in cooking, with a flavor similar to allspice and black pepper.

This species is adaptable to dry and moist sites, and sun and shade. It has a more upright growth in sun, and a more horizontal growth in shade. It is drought tolerant once established. While not as showy, spicebush makes a great replacement for non-native and aggressive Forsythia. In fall the foliage turns a bright golden yellow color.

Please note: Spicebush is the host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly. You may find these beautiful and increasingly uncommon caterpillars hiding in the leaves of the shrub by folding them over on themselves to make little "sleeping bags".