Spice bush

Spice bush (Lindera benzoin)

Spice bush is a great native shrub that thrives in the shady understory and forest edges. The bush gets its name from its culinary traits. The twigs and berries can be used to make teas and spices. Native peoples and this plant have been in relationship for thousands of years. No doubt there are many uses for spice bush that I am simply not aware of. 

Spice bush are typically not preferred by deer and as a result have become very common in some wooded areas as deer populations have removed many other species. Spice bush has a very small but pretty bright yellow flower in early spring. They can thrive in full shade but will also grow well with some sun. A rather small shrub I rarely see them taller than 12 feet. They like to grow in rich moist soils. Our seed this season came from various plants near the Smith River in southern Virginia