spicebush

American  

[spahys-boosh] / ˈspaɪsˌbʊʃ /

noun

1. Also called spice-wood.  a yellow-flowered, North American shrub, Lindera benzoin, of the laurel family, whose bark and leaves have a spicy odor.

2. a North American shrub, Calycanthus occidentalis, having oblong leaves and fragrant, light-brown flowers.

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spicebush British  

/ ˈspaɪsˌbʊʃ /

noun

1. a North American lauraceous shrub, Lindera benzoin, having yellow flowers and aromatic leaves and bark

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Etymology

Origin of spicebush

An Americanism dating back to 1760–70; spice + bush ¹

Example Sentences

Scientists recently discovered that two plants, the giant goldenrod and spicebush, each make five different compounds that disrupt the life cycles of insect pests.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Pearce showed me many spicebush specimens that were browsed but are now suckering afresh.

From Washington Post • Sep. 14, 2021

There are thornless honey locusts, willowleaf spicebush, purple love grass and lilacs.

From New York Times • Aug. 9, 2018

Related and affected trees include avocado, sassafras, northern spicebush and at least two endangered plants: pondberry and pond spice, Riggins said.

From Washington Times • Jul. 8, 2017

The sunlight filters through lacy hemlock needles and we stretch out on our backs, chewing the tasty twigs of a spicebush and silently admiring the forest.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George