Form: This is a shrub that reaches 10 ft. in height. It typically has multiple stems.

Leaves:
             

Arrangement: opposite

Shape: ovate to elliptical

Margin: entire

Texture: dark green above, whitened & pubescent
below

Venation: N/A

Bark: The bark is light brown, thin, and has lenticels.

Twigs and buds: Twigs have an aromatic smell and attached are pubescent brown buds.

Flowers and fruit: It produces purplish flowers in late spring. The fruit pod contains many seeds*.

Distinguishing characteristics: It has fragrant when leaves are crushed; it is a shrub(up to 6 feet in height). It is opposite and spicebush is alternate.

Range: Virginia south to Florida west to Mississippi.

Silvics: It is shade tolerant and grows in mixed deciduous forests and along stream banks.

Ecological and cultural importance: Commonly used as a landscape plant in Europe.