Spicebush is a native understory shrub of moist eastern forests whose aromatic bark, leaves, and red berries are strongly spice-scented. It is the larval host plant for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly. Its brilliant red berries in August and September are among the most nutritious wildlife fruits, especially important for migrating birds building fat reserves.
Habitat
Moist deciduous forest understory and floodplain shrub thickets
Diet
Berries critical for migrating warblers and thrushes; larval host for spicebush swallowtail
How common
Common
Recent Spicebush sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Spicebush? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free