Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume
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Authority
Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.
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Family
Lauraceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Much-branched shrub to 5 m; lvs obovate to oblong or elliptic, 6–12 cm, pointed at both ends, pinnately veined, the uppermost lvs on each twig commonly the largest; petioles 5–12 mm; fls yellow, 6–7 mm wide, appearing before the lvs in dense clusters ca 2 cm thick from the nodes of last year’s stems; fr short-stalked, red, ellipsoid, 6–10 mm; 2n=24. Abundant in rich, moist woods; s. Me. to Mich., s. to Fla. and Tex. Mar.–May. (Benzoin aestivale) The northern var. benzoin, with the lvs and twigs glabrous, extends s. to Va. and Mo., and in the mts. to Ga. The more southern var. pubescens (E. J. Palmer & Steyerm.) Rehder, with the lower lf surfaces and young twigs hairy, extends n. to se. Va., s. O., sw. Mich., and Mo.