Spice Bush; Calycanthus occidentalis
Late Bloomer. Large shrub, long purplish petals, large flowers, fragrant leaves.
Notes: Sweet-shrub (Strawberry-shrub) family. The genus is from the Greek "calyx" flower, meaning ‘hollow receptacle.’ Deciduous or evergreen, aromatic shrubs. Can grow into small trees. This is a favorite of ladybugs, which may spend the winter packed into the urn-shaped seed pods or, at lower elevations, massed on top of one another in large clumps to stay warm. A good specimen is found at the first bridge of the handicap (left) trail. Prefers moist, shady places. Also called Sweet Shrub.
Click on the species name to go to USDA for this plant.
Kingdom Plantae -- Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta -- Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta -- Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta -- Flowering plants
Class Magnoliopsida -- Dicotyledons
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Laurales
Family Calycanthaceae -- Strawberry-shrub family
Genus Calycanthus L. -- sweetshrub P
Species Calycanthus occidentalis Hook. & Arn.
-- western sweetshrub
Spice Bush (Calycanthus occidentalis) |