Listen to the podcast of this information. Native plants provide
beauty as well as food and shelter for wildlife. Native species
are adapted to the Illinois climate. They require little or no
watering and are resistant to drought, insects and most
diseases. Because they are perennials, you can welcome their
presence year after year. spicebush (Lindera benzoin) Photo ©
2013, Joe McFarland, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Spicebush is a shrub that thrives naturally in rich, moist woods
in the southern half of Illinois. It prefers to grow in full sun
or partial shade. The leaves are simple, alternate, up to six
inches long and three inches wide. The yellow flowers open in
spring before the leaves appear. Blooming occurs from March to
May, with the flowers arranged in clusters along the stems. Male
and female flowers are on separate plants. The red fruits are
about three-eighths to one-half inch long and have a slight
indentation at the tip. All parts of this plant, including the
flowers and fruits, have