Northern Spicebush

By Kathy Jentz

It gets its common name from the fact that crushing the leaves releases a spicy fragrance.

In early spring, the plant is covered in small, yellow flowers, then it leafs out.

In the fall, the leaves turn an attractive yellow color and red drupes (fruits) appear along its branches. It is dioecious, so a female plant needs a male one nearby to produce fruit.

It can grow to between 6 and 12 feet high and wide. It is an understory plant that prefers part-shade and moist, rich soils near streambeds and ponds. It is hardy from USDA Zones 5 through 9.

The plant supports Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus), as well as the Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes) and other pollinators. The fruits are eaten by migrating songbirds and deer eat its leaves and twigs. o