spicebush

spice·bush

noun \ˈspīs-ˌbu̇sh\

Definition of SPICEBUSH

: an aromatic shrub (Lindera benzoin) of the laurel family found chiefly in the eastern United States that bears dense clusters of small greenish-yellow flowers followed by usually scarlet berries

First Known Use of SPICEBUSH

1770

Rhymes with SPICEBUSH

ambush, bell push, cost-push, rosebush, thornbush

spicebush

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin).—Walter Chandoha

Deciduous, dense shrub (Lindera benzoin) of the laurel family, native to eastern North America. Found most often in damp woods, it grows 5–20 ft (1.5–6 m) tall. The shiny, oblong leaves (3–5 in., or 8–13 cm, long) are wedge-shaped near the base. Small, yellow flowers crowded in small, nearly stalkless clusters are followed by fleshy red fruit with a stony covering around the seed. Tea is sometimes brewed from young twigs, leaves, and fruit.