September 19, 2025

Drupes (berries) on Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) turning to their lovely crimson coloring, as autumn approaches.

As autumn further advances, these drupes will all turn their bright red, and the leaves will become a rich yellow. Those leaves, when crushed emit a luscious spicy aroma. Thanks to that spicy aroma, deer tend to avoid munching on these bushes, unless of course they are very hungry.

Spicebush is a deciduous shrub in the laurel family (Lauraceae) which is native to the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and the Midwest. It is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants. In the autumn female plants will have those red drupes, and male plants will not produce any fruit.

A lovely plant to spot in the woods.

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