Spicebush Identification

[@jbrannon509]

Thanks for the video! I just found a couple of these growing on my hillside here in Middle Tennessee.

[@enragedbutterfly]

I’m looking for a foraging group in middle TN. Do you know of any?

[@jbrannon509]

@@enragedbutterfly I belong to one on Facebook I believe but I can't remember the name. It's for mushrooms mostly and I rarely saw any posts on the page.

[@Topherofthewoodz]

I know I'm pretty late on this, but that mystery bush was a very mature Honeysuckle, the berries are edible in small doses (like a hand full, anymore will make your stomach ache) If you're curious try one, but it not very flavorful.

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

Ahh yes, that is absolutely true about it being a honeysuckle, I didn't know that at the time but some other commenters have pointed it out as well. I have never tried the berries though, I might give them a try soon! Thanks for the info Christopher!

[@Mike-mn8wy]

I'm even later but I do believe that was Amur honeysuckle which is TOXIC

[@jds9559]

great video. would like to see more videos like this. love that you compared similar species right on spot

[@jeladsnikpoh1289]

I feel silly. I moved to Kentucky from Oregon a few years ago. Very excited I'm right in the middle of Paw Paw country. Never seen one or tasted one, but there's supposed to be tons of them around here! I was sure I found them all over my property (alternate leafs, smooth edges on leaves, unique smell when crushing leaves, smooth bark, small flexible 'trunks', small trees, often called bushes, oval shaped fruits. Shade and moisture loving, but tolerant to sun with more fruit production in sun. Very similar ovate leaves. Not magnolia or shagbark hickory, but grows with them, etc.) What perplexed me was the leaves seemed smaller than what I expected, as did the 'fruit'. The 'tree' seemed to be more of a bush! I just figured it's because they were immature, and wild. Turned out after transplanting a few, it's Spicebush! LOL, aren't I just the expert botanist!? 🤣 Oh well, at least I'll have pretty spicebush adding to my border privacy. Good thing I purchased them Paw Paw trees from Tennessee afterall!

[@NS-pf2zc]

I just found a spicebush behind our rabbit hutch. And here I was looking for one around in the woods and along the roads! Lol

[@CorgiCorner]

I think i found some growing…the berries are still green so far but there is no pit/stone seed. Do they develop later?

[@charliedanielson4970]

The compared shrub is Armour Honeysuckle. An Asian ornamental that is now common in wild

[@Humble-Daniel]

Wow.. I think I seen a giant spicebush plant at my brothers house last year. It may be that second bush you showed tho. I'll have to check it out this year. Sassafras smells like root beer if i'm not mistaken right? It sounds like an amazing plant to harvest for many different recipes!

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

Yeah Sassafras smells just like root beer, and Spicebush has a hint of Sassafras smell to it. If you can think of allspice, the popular kitchen spice, then that's a good representation of Spicebush. I love making syrup and ice cream from this plant!

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

Yeah Sassafras smells just like root beer, and Spicebush has a hint of Sassafras smell to it. If you can think of allspice, the popular kitchen spice, then that's a good representation of Spicebush. I love making syrup and ice cream from this plant!

[@oldmanpatriot1490]

This was an excellent ID video.. That one bush with the red berries,,, Ive been trying to ID that one too... I think it might be Yaupon Holly,, The only problem with that is my medicinal book says its only in the south east Va to Fl,, Tx to Ark... I live on the IL and IA boarder and I see it growing all along the Mississippi river,.. So,, I have no idea really... but from the Pictures it looks identical to that Yaupon Holly..

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

A kind commenter pointed out the species a few years ago. It's Amur Honeysuckle and is highly invasive. It was brought over in the 30's and 40's to control ditch erosion. It crowds out native plants and is a prime tick habitat. There are massive efforts in my state to eradicate it. Good thing is the wood is nice and hard and I've made a few items from it, war clubs, atlatl darts, my bokken, handles, etc. The flowers are quite delicious in tea and are good for respiratory issues.

[@laurabush8347]

I'm having some confusion over this Northern Spicebush "Lindera benzoin" and Carolina allspice "Calycanthus fluorides." They look and grow similar in the Eastern United States. They are both aromatic. Their flowers are obviously different. Is Calycanthus fluorides not quite as edible as Lindera benzoin? I'm in Ohio and have Carolina allspice in my yard.

[@CorgiCorner]

They look nothing alike to me.

[@n0sr3t3p]

3:10 invasive honeysuckle or native?

[@noreaster4194]

Amur Honeysuckle

[@CJM-rg5rt]

Thanks alot for helping me I.D. this! I have one growing amongst/within my Holly trees in Ohio. Strange they'd both have red berries. Btw though they do not contain benzoin they actually contain benzoic acid, that along with it's salt form benzoate is what they put in food and drinks to prevent mold. Wikipedia also says most berries contain benzoic acid, like cranberries.

[@barbarabeach6822]

Good id. Do nurseries sell them?

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

Thanks I'm glad you liked it! I've not found this in local nurseries but it's apparently available online if you search "Spicebush seeds". When looking as typing this comment I noticed they were considered unavailable but were able to be purchased if they have them in stock. Here's the top link from Google: strictlymedicinalseeds.com/product/spice-bush-lindera-benzoin-packet-of-10-seeds-intl-no/ I also found potential sources on Amazon too when searching, so be sure to do some shopping. Hope this helps some!

[@matthewbarber3153]

Do u dry whole or remove the seeds?

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

Remove the seeds, wash off well to remove the oily coating, then dry and grind.

[@tinaday2972]

I believe the other bush may be wild bush honeysuckle.

[@gaylandmiller277]

i have 1st unknown bush on my fence line anyone know the name?

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

+Gayland Miller Lol I too have it on the fence line, I see this bush everywhere. Hopefully somebody knows it's name.

[@gaylandmiller277]

+Gayland Miller I should of added that this is central Iowa and also it should be Native

[@Topherofthewoodz]

Gayland Miller it's a matured Honeysuckle Ive also have seen it everywhere. Just this spring i actually kept up with the specimens in my yard on a daily, and woody stems and red vibrant, tasteless berries are indeed the end result of the sweet tasting flowers.

[@ZomBeeNature]

They are an invasive species, the Tatarian Honeysuckle. Eventually they will crowd out everything by forming a very dense growth that will shade out everything. Cities are spending millions applying weedkiller to them, then cutting them down, then bulldozing up the dense but shallow root systems, and filling up dumps with all that. You should kill every one of them that you see without hesitation.

[@ArcaneAcadia]

Definitely honeysuckle.

[@willchick]

"you don't want to put anything in your mouth if you don't know what it is" I found my first pawpaw and had no idea what it was...it smelled so good but I erred on caution....well, I should have taken it with me because know I know what it was.

[@saitama4200]

Wild allspice

[@saitama4200]

It is allspice

[@terryheasley7027]

Please clean your fingernails before making close up videos, everyone!