Blunt-lobe spicebush (Lindera obtusiloba) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Blunt-lobe spicebush is an East Asian shrub grown in U.S. gardens, with yellow flowers that open in early spring before the leaves. The leaves turn bright yellow in fall.

Appearance

Growth form: A spreading shrub or small tree, usually 10–15 ft (3–4.5 m) tall in US gardens.
Leaves: Leaves are usually three-lobed with three main veins, and they smell spicy when crushed. Fall color is typically butter yellow, occasionally red or orange.
Flowers: Tiny deep-yellow flowers sit in tight clusters along the twigs before the leaves open. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants.
Flowering time: The flowers open in early spring before the leaves.
Fruit: Only female plants bear fruit, and they need a male plant nearby. The small oval berries ripen red, then turn purple-black.

Look-alikes

American spicebushLindera benzoin

Blunt-lobe spicebush often has leaves with three shallow lobes. American spicebush has unlobed oval leaves, so a clear leaf photo helps; some blunt-lobe leaves are unlobed too.

Why they get mixed upBoth have small yellow spring flowers and aromatic leaves.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: gardens
botanical collections
Range: Native to East Asia and parts of the Himalayas. In the US it is grown as an ornamental shrub.
Preferred conditions: Grows in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. It is suited to 6a–9b.

Name and classification

About the name: Its relative American spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is native to the eastern U.S. Two varieties are recognized: Lindera obtusiloba obtusiloba across much of East Asia and Lindera obtusiloba heterophylla farther west, although an unlobed leaf alone does not identify the western variety. Blunt-lobe spicebush is also called Japanese spicebush.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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