LINDERA BENZOIN Meaning and
Definition
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Lindera Benzoin, commonly known as Spicebush, is a flowering shrub found in eastern North America. It belongs to the family Lauraceae and is native to regions ranging from Ontario, Canada, south to Florida, and west to Texas. Lindera Benzoin typically grows in moist woodlands, often near streams and wetland areas.
This shrub is characterized by its glossy, ovate leaves that have a pleasant aromatic scent when crushed. The leaves are deciduous, turning a vibrant yellow or golden color in the fall. Lindera Benzoin produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are yellow or greenish-yellow in color and appear in early spring before the leaves emerge. Female flowers give rise to small, red drupes that persist on the branches throughout the winter.
The Lindera Benzoin plant has been historically treasured for its various uses. Native American tribes used the aromatic bark and leaves to treat various ailments, including fevers, rheumatism, and colds. The vibrant red berries were used as a spice substitute, providing a unique flavor to culinary dishes. Additionally, spicebush leaves were used to make tea, imparting a delightful spiced flavor.
In contemporary times, Lindera Benzoin continues to be valued for its ornamental attributes, as well as its ecological importance in supporting native wildlife. The shrub serves as a host plant for the larvae of various butterflies, including the spicebush swallowtail. Its seeds are consumed by multiple bird species, contributing to their diet and aiding in seed dispersal.
Overall, Lindera Benzoin is a resilient and versatile shrub with significant cultural and ecological significance in eastern North America.
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The spicebush, a North American shrub, the bark of which is diaphoretic, stimulant, and antipyretic in doses of 3 1/2-2 (2.0-8.0) of a fluidextract.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LINDERA BENZOIN
- kindera benzoin
- pindera benzoin
- oindera benzoin
- lundera benzoin
- ljndera benzoin
- lkndera benzoin
- londera benzoin
- l9ndera benzoin
- l8ndera benzoin
- libdera benzoin
- limdera benzoin
- lijdera benzoin
- lihdera benzoin
- linsera benzoin
- linxera benzoin
- lincera benzoin
- linfera benzoin
- linrera benzoin
- lineera benzoin
Etymology of LINDERA BENZOIN
The word "Lindera Benzoin" has its origins in two different parts. First, "Lindera" is the genus name of a group of plants in the family Lauraceae, commonly known as spicebushes. The genus name "Lindera" is named after the Swedish botanist, Johann Linder, who lived in the 18th century.
The second part, "Benzoin", refers to a specific species within the Lindera genus, known as Lindera benzoin or commonly called the spicebush. The name "Benzoin" is derived from the Old Malay word "benjamin", which was later anglicized to "benzoin". This term originally referred to a type of aromatic resin, commonly used in perfumes and incense, that was derived from the tree species Styrax benzoin.
