Calycanthus floridus

Calycanthus floridus, or commonly known as the eastern sweetshrub, Carolina allspice, 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. The Nature Conservancy considers its conservation status to be G5, globally secure, indicating it is at low risk of extinction.^[1]

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

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.

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  Leaves
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  Flower

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. Plants of the World Online accepted two infraspecies:^[10]

Image	Subspecies	Description	Distribution
	Calycanthus floridus var. floridus (syn. C. mohrii)	eastern sweetshrub; twigs pubescent	Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
	''Calycanthus floridus var. glaucus (Willd.) Torr. & A.Gray (syn. C. fertilis)	eastern sweetshrub; twigs glabrous (smooth).	Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia

Distribution and habitat

Calycanthus floridus is native to the eastern United States.^[11] It is presumed to have been extirpated from Ohio.^[1] It prefers sunny habitats but can tolerate moderate amounts of shade. It grows well in environments that feature moist substrate.^[12]

Uses

It is used in horticulture as the flowers are showy and fragrant.^[12] The bark of the plant is edible and is reportedly used as a substitute for cinnamon. The petals of the flower are also reportedly used in medicinal tea-making. Strong caution is advised however, as an alkaloid in the plant may lead to heart convulsions. The viscous substance within the plant is reportedly used as a disinfectant.^[13]

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.^[11][14]

This plant has been marked as a pollinator plant, supporting and attracting beetles.^[15]