Other common names:
Allspice Family: Laurel Family (Lauraceae) Distinctive features: Shrub; The leaves give off a unique spicy odour when rubbed or crushed. The twigs have this smell as well. Similar species: • Leatherwood (Dirca palustris) - branches are thicker, flowers are larger. Flowers: Spring; Yellow; Indistinguishable parts (petals) Leaves: Alternate, Simple, Entire; Alternate, simple. Give off a very pungent odour when rubbed or crushed. Height:
1-2 m (3-6 ft) Habitat: Forests, Fields and Open Areas, Wet Areas; Spicebush is a shrub of rich wet woods. Books: Shrubs of Ontario: 127 Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 442 Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Common.
Photographs:
241 photographs available, of which 13 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Range Map is at the bottom of the page
A grove of Spicebush that are about 4-5 feet tall.
This photo shows the alternate arrangement of the leaves along the stems.
Leaves.
This close-up of a leaf shows that the upper surface is sometimes a little bit glossy.
Detail of top of leaf.
Detail of underside of leaf.
Winter twig. Note the small round buds.
Another photo of the buds.
Flowers in spring.
Close-up of flowers. They come out before the leaves.
PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.
(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website
and is displayed here in accordance with their
Policies)
