Dark Light
Eastern Sweetshrub
Calycanthus floridus

The cool strappy 2″ flowers on this plant are pollinated by beetles, and are quite long-lasting. The main draw of this plant in my opinion are the super cool looking flowers.

Alternate Names: Carolina Allspice, Bubby Bush (!)
Size: 6-9' tall
Family: Calycanthaceae (Strawberry-shrub Family) 
Habitat: Moist wood openings & edges; stream banks; moist hillsides
Identification: "Deciduous shrub with glossy, aromatic, leathery, dark-green foliage. Its with erect, multiple stems create a rounded outline. Terminal blossoms are solitary and dark red with numerous overlapping, strap-like petals. Flowers are often quite fragrant. Leaves become yellow in fall but are usually not showy."  From wildflower.org
Uses: Essential oil distilled from the flowers, is used in some perfumes.
All text and photos copyright © 2022 Middle Way Nature Reserve, unless noted.
Related Posts
red sweetshrub flowers

Sweet Shrub

This deciduous shrub has the strangest loveliest flowers, which are quite fragrant and bloom here in central Virginia in the mid-late spring. Crushing the leaves also gives a spicy scent, hence the alternative name "Carolina Allspice."