Male or Female Spicebush - Ask Extension
Hello. I got this Spicebush a few years ago from a native plant sale. Can you tell me if it is a male or a female, please? Thank you!
Knowledgebase
Male or Female Spicebush #786256
Asked April 09, 2022, 12:29 AM EDT
Hello. I got this Spicebush a few years ago from a native plant sale. Can you tell me if it is a male or a female, please? Thank you!
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello; Thanks for submitting your garden and landscape questions to University of Maryland Ask Extension.
Please see this NC State University Extension website that provides detailed information about our native spicebush (Lindera benzoin) https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lindera-benzoin/#:~:text=The%20Spice%20bush%20has%20clusters,showier%20than%20the%20female%20ones.
In general terms, male flower parts produce pollen on several (stamens) and the female flower part is often sticky and is centrally located in the middle of a flower (pistil). For dioecious plants (separate male and female plants of the same species), male flowers are more showy than female flowers, but only the female plants produce fruit. Touch open spicebush flowers with your finger and look to see if any yellow pollen grains remain on your finger, or if flowers feels sticky.
Your spicebush, whether male or female, is a valuable addition to your landscape that will attract a variety of native pollinators including specific butterflies which rely on spicebush for providing food and raising young caterpillars.
Good luck in your garden. Thanks, Christopher
Please see this NC State University Extension website that provides detailed information about our native spicebush (Lindera benzoin) https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lindera-benzoin/#:~:text=The%20Spice%20bush%20has%20clusters,showier%20than%20the%20female%20ones.
In general terms, male flower parts produce pollen on several (stamens) and the female flower part is often sticky and is centrally located in the middle of a flower (pistil). For dioecious plants (separate male and female plants of the same species), male flowers are more showy than female flowers, but only the female plants produce fruit. Touch open spicebush flowers with your finger and look to see if any yellow pollen grains remain on your finger, or if flowers feels sticky.
Your spicebush, whether male or female, is a valuable addition to your landscape that will attract a variety of native pollinators including specific butterflies which rely on spicebush for providing food and raising young caterpillars.
Good luck in your garden. Thanks, Christopher
