Natural History

While spicebush’s landscape adaptability and three-season interest earn it a place in any garden, the most appealing characteristic of this fantastic shrub is its value for wildlife. Spicebush is a host plant for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly, Papilio troilus, whose larvae feed on the leaves. These caterpillars represent some of the most interesting examples of mimicry: young instar stages resemble bird droppings to avoid predation, while later stages develop an eyespot that makes them look like a snake. In autumn, the abundant fruit is an important food source for migrating birds. Humans, too, appreciate the plant’s edibility, evidenced by the plant’s other common name: Appalachian allspice. The leaves, twigs, and berries are harvested by foragers for their characteristic aroma, which resembles a combination of orange peel and black pepper. As always, consult many resources  -including knowledgeable live humans- before foraging.