Spicebush
Lindera glauca

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 8 m tall. The bark is smooth and grey to white. The young branches are white to yellow with brown hairs. The leaves are alternate and the leaf blade is oval and 4-9 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. There are white hairs underneath. Male and female flowers are separate.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. In central China it grows in forests and on mountain slopes below 900 m above sea level. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Taiwan, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The peppercorn like berries are used in place of pepper. Powdered leaves are mixed into noodles and dumplings.

Edible parts

Fruit, spice, leaves

How it is grown

It is grown by seed and cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Shan-hu-shu, Yama-kobashi

Synonyms

Check Litsea