SPICEBUSH

n.

Deciduous, dense shrub ( Lindera benzoin , or Benzoin aestivale ) of the laurel family , native to eastern North America.

Found most often in damp woods, it grows 5–20 ft (1.5–6 m) tall. The shiny, oblong leaves (3–5 in., or 8–13 cm, long) are wedge-shaped near the base. Small, yellow flowers crowded in small, nearly stalkless clusters are followed by fleshy red fruit with a stony covering around the seed. Tea is sometimes brewed from young twigs, leaves, and fruit.

Spicebush ( Lindera benzoin ).

Walter Chandoha