Calycanthus floridus

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Laurales
Family: Calycanthaceae
Genus: Calycanthus
Species:
C. floridus
Binomial name
Calycanthus floridus
L.[2]

Calycanthus floridus, or commonly known as the eastern sweetshrub, Carolina all spice, or spicebush,[3] is a species of flowering shrub in the family Calycanthaceae.[4] It is identifiable by its dark red flowers and fragrant scent. It is non-invasive and is found in the Southeastern United States region. The Nature Conservancy considers its conservation status to be G5, globally secure, indicating it is at low risk of extinction.[1] It is presumed to have been extirpated from Ohio.[1]

Description

Calycanthus floridus is a shrub that grows to be around 6 to 9 ft (2 to 3 m) tall.[5] Its leaves are a dark green with a pale underside. They are ovate or elliptical in shape and grow to be about 6 inches (15 cm) in length.[5] The leaves are simple, entire, and arranged oppositely along the stem.[6]

The flowers are solitary, featuring a reddish brown to reddish purple color when they bloom in spring. They are aromatic and so are the leaves when bruised.[5] The flowers have a hypanthium that is more than 2 cm (0.8 in) long.[7] The shape of the flowers can be cylindrical, ellipsoid, pyriform, or globose.[8] The flowers have numerous tepals that can either be oblong-elliptic or obovate-lanceolate at maturity.[8] The flowers are perfect, having both stamens and carpels on the flowers. The stamens are numerous, connective beyond the anthers.[7] The carpels are numerous. They are free, with a single ovary in a locule.[7]

The fruits are indehiscent pseudocarps that are about 8 cm (3 in) in length and 5 cm (2 in) in diameter at maturity.[7] They are formed within the receptacle and contain numerous achenes that are roughly 10 mm (0.4 in) long with a 5 mm (0.2 in) diameter.

Taxonomy

Oldest illustration, from a work by Mark Catesby published from 1731 onwards

Calycanthus floridus was first scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1759.[2] It was the only species in his new genus Calycanthus. Linnaeus referred to an earlier illustration by Mark Catesby,[9] contained in a work published from 1731 onwards.

Distribution and habitat

Calycanthus floridus is native to the eastern United States.[10] It prefers sunny habitats but can tolerate moderate amounts of shade. It grows well in environments that feature moist substrate.[11]

Uses

It is used in horticulture as the flowers are showy and fragrant.[11] The bark of the plant is edible and is reportedly used as a substitute for cinnamon.[12] The petals of the flower are also reportedly used in medicinal tea-making.[12] Strong caution is advised however, as an alkaloid in the plant may lead to heart convulsions.[12] The viscous substance within the plant is reportedly used as a disinfectant.[12]

It is highly resistant to diseases and insects, although it is prone to infection by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which leads to the formation of crown galls on the stems.[10][13]

This plant has been marked as a pollinator plant, supporting and attracting beetles.[14]

References

  1. 1 2 3 NatureServe (4 August 2023). "Calycanthus floridus". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  2. 1 2 "Calycanthus floridus L." International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  3. ↑ "Calycanthus floridus (Bubby Bush, Carolina Allspice, Common Sweetshrub, Spicebush, Sweet Betsy, Sweet Bubby Bush, Sweetshrub, Sweet Shrub) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2020-04-03.
  4. ↑ "Plants Profile for Calycanthus floridus (eastern sweetshrub)". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-03.
  5. 1 2 3 "Calycanthus floridus - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2020-04-03.
  6. ↑ "Carolina allspice". www.mortonarb.org. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Radford, Albert E. (1968). Manual of the vascular flora of the Carolinas. Ahles, Harry E.,, Bell, C. Ritchie. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 0-8078-1087-8. OCLC 355003.
  8. 1 2 "Calycanthus floridus". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2020-04-03.
  9. ↑ Linnaeus, C. (1759). "Calycanthus". Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Vol. II (10th ed.). Stockholm (Holmia): Salvius. p. 1066.
  10. 1 2 "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  11. 1 2 "Calycanthus floridus | Landscape Plants | Oregon State University". landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Calycanthus floridus, Carolina Allspice, Eastern sweetshrub, Strawberry Bush, Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice PFAF Plant Database". pfaf.org. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  13. ↑ Gilman, Edward (27 May 2015). "Calycanthus floridus, Carolina Allspice, Sweetshrub". EDIS. Archived from the original on 2008-03-18. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
  14. ↑ "Planting Guides" (PDF). Pollinator.org. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
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