spicebush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Benjamin bush
• allspice
• northern spicebush
• spicebush
• benjamin-bush
• wild allspice

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lindera benzoin f. xanthocarpa
• Benzoin geniculatum
• Malapoenna glomerata
• Ozanthes benzoin
• Benzoin benzoin
• Malapoenna geniculata
• Tetranthera floridana
• Benzoin aestivale
• Lindera benzoin f. rubra
• Benzoin aestivale var. pubescens
• Tetranthera aestivalis
• Benzoin aestivale f. xanthocarpum
• Tetranthera geniculata var. grandiflora
• Benzoin odoriferum
• Laurus axillaris
• Lindera aestivalis f. xanthocarpa
• Laurus pseudobenzoin
• Lindera benzoin var. pubescens
• Lindera benzoin var. verna
• Calosmon acstivale
• Calosmon benzoin
• Euosmus aestivalis
• Euosmus benzoin

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Laurales, it falls under the family Lauraceae. Specifically, it is categorized within the genus Lindera, commonly known as Lindera benzoin.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range that spans across several regions of North America. In Eastern Canada, its presence is noted within the province of Ontario. Moving into the North-Central United States, it can be found growing in Illinois. The distribution continues through the central plains, specifically within the states of Missouri and Kansas. Finally, its documented reach extends further south into Oklahoma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Lindera benzoin is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its wetland and bottomland forest habitats. As a woody shrub, it does not follow the rapid turnover of annuals or the two-year cycle of biennials, but instead invests in sustained growth and structural development over many years. Its lifecycle involves seasonal rhythms, typically emerging with new foliage in the spring, producing small inconspicuous flowers, and developing red drupes that serve as a vital food source for avian wildlife. This perennial nature enables the plant to persist through varying environmental conditions, contributing to the stability and complexity of its ecological niche over extended periods.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lindera benzoin is characterized by its structural development as a woody shrub, though it can also exhibit characteristics consistent with a small tree. It typically reaches a mean plant height of approximately 3.7 m. In terms of its growth habit, the plant is classified as a shrub and possesses a woody constitution, providing a sturdy framework for its development. Unlike many climbing species, it does not function as an obligatory or facultative climber, but rather exists as a self-supporting plant.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

3.7 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lindra benzoin is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period that typically commences in March and concludes in April. The plant produces fleshy fruits classified as drupes, which are indehiscent in nature. The dispersal of its offspring follows a zoochorous syndrome, relying on animals for distribution. The seeds produced by this species exhibit specific physical dimensions and weights, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.101917 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.08085 g to a maximum of 0.1418 g. Furthermore, the seed volume is highly consistent, maintaining a uniform measurement of 140 mm³ across its minimum, maximum, and mean values.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit type :

drupe

Seed mass max:

0.1418 g

Seed mass mean:

0.101917 g

Seed mass min:

0.08085 g

Seed volume max:

140 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lindera benzoin has 48 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isolinderanolide, Isolinderenolide, Isoobtusilactone, Isoobtusilactone A, Linderanolide.

Isolinderanolide

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Isolinderenolide

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Isoobtusilactone

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Isoobtusilactone A

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Linderanolide

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Obtusilactone

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Obtusilactone A

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

(E)-alpha-bergamotene

1. Dr. Duke

(E)-beta-farnesene

1. Dr. Duke

(E)-beta-ocimene

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Lindera benzoin has 190 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, ACE-Inhibitor, AChE-Inhibitor, Abortifacient.

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke