What's "Blooming" at Bear Run Nature Reserve in October - Spicebush Berries

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) of the laurel family (Lauraceae) is a deciduous shrub with dense clusters of tiny, pale yellow flowers that bloom before the leaves emerge. It is related to sassafras (Sassafras albidum), but the family name has nothing to do with mountain laurel. In the north, this plant is thought of as the “forsythia of the wilds” because its early spring flowering gives a subtle yellow tinge to many lowland woods where it is common. It flowers from April to early May and prefers swamps and wet woods. Presently, the fruit, an ovoid, shiny, red, berry-like drupe, is easy to spot. A tea can be made from the aromatic leaves and twigs, and the dried powdered fruit can be used as a spice. Spicebush can be found along many of the trails at the Bear Run Nature Reserve near Fallingwater, Fayette County, PA. This reserve, with its 20 miles of hiking trails and 6 rustic backpacking campsites, has been operated by WPC for some 40 years.

Text modified from National Audubon Society Field Guide to NA Wildflowers. Photo of berries by WPC's Public Tour Manager Denise Miner. Inset of spicebush in bloom by William S. Justice @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database.

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