Native Shrub · Woodland Understory

Late Summer · Fall

Grows in the understory of the wooded areas at Dark Hollow and is being incorporated into more part-sun orcharding tests. We harvest the berries and twigs for a peppery, citrus-allspice seasoning and dry the leaves for tea. In the wild system it's a keystone understory shrub. It's also an early nectar source for pollinators, host plant for the spicebush swallowtail, and we share its berries with migrating songbirds in the fall.