Carolina allspice, Sweet shrub, Strawberry shrub
Calycanthus floridus

Family: Calycanthaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 2-3 m tall. It spreads 2 m wide. The leaves, bark and wood all have a spicy aroma when cut. The leaves are broad and glossy and pale green. They are downy underneath. The flowers are 5 cm wide. The flowers occur singly among the leaves. The petals are narrow and deep red-brown. The flowers have a scent. The fruit are soft and fig like.

There are 2 or 3-6 Calycanthus species. There are 4 genera in the Calycanthaceae.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate zones. They suit sunny, sheltered positions. They do best in fertile, humus-rich soils. It is resistant to frost but sensitive to drought. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, North America, Slovenia, Tasmania, USA (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The bark is used as a substitute for cinnamon. CAUTION: The plant contains calycanthine - an alkaloid like strychnine and poisonous to people.

Edible parts

Bark, spice, flavouring, poisonous!

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by air layering. It can be grown by cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Cvetoči dišečnik, Eastern Sweetshrub, Pineapple-shrub

Synonyms

Basteria calycanthus Mill.; Beureria florida (L.) Kuntze; Butneria florida (L.) Kearney; Butneria mohrii Small; Calycanthus acuminatus K. Koch; Calycanthus asplenifolius K. Koch; Calycanthus bullatus K. Koch; Calycanthus mohrii (Small) Small ex Pollard; Calycanthus mollis Raf.; Calycanthus sterilis Walter; Calycanthus tomentosus Raf.;