Flora of East-Central Indiana

Spicebush
Scientific Name Lindera benzoin  (L.) Blume.
Family Name Lauraceae (Laurel Family)

 

lindera_benzoin_form2.jpg (49177 bytes)

Characteristics
Habitat: moist areas, stream banks, bottomlands
Plant Height: woody shrub growing 8' height or more
Flower Color: yellow to green
Flower: dioecious; complete; imperfect; 6 sepals; 6 petals; male flowers 6 stamens
Inflorescence: axillary clusters
Fruit: red drupe
Leaves: alternate; entire; elliptical; spicy odor when crushed
Bloom Time: March-early April
Origins: native
Other: not a spring wildflower, but an early flowering shrub common in most woods in Indiana
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lindera_benzoin_habit.jpg (23300 bytes)

 lindera_benzoin_female_group.jpg (4740 bytes) lindera_benzoin_ovary.jpg (4798 bytes) lindera_benzoin_stamens.jpg (5302 bytes) lindera_benzoin_stamens_close.jpg (4543 bytes)
bark leaves flower clusters female flowers male flowers

Native Wildflowers ● Trees, Shrubs&Vines ● Ferns ● Grasses&Allies ● Non-Native Species ●  ECI Flora Home

information provided by

FSEEC
Field Station and
Environmental Education Center
Ball State University, Muncie, IN



comments to:
hbrown@bsu.edu