Lindera obtusiloba

The Japanese spicebush or blunt-lobed spicebush is in the laurel or Lauraceae family and is native to Japan, Korea and China. It is a spreading shrub or small tree growing to 6 m tall.

• Leaves are deciduous, simple, alternate, aromatic, lustrous dark green, 7.5–15 cm long and 6–13 cm across; juvenile leaves are lobed and are deep purple; leaves turn yellow and sometimes pale red in fall.
• Flowers are produced in axillary heads of 10–15 flowers, small, golden-yellow, in May, before first appearance of leaves.
• Fruit is broadly elliptical, 8 mm long and 6 mm across, red at maturity, later purple-black, ripening in August-September.
• Buds are ovate, yellow-brown, tip tapering to a point, with 3 outer bud scales.