Lindera melissifolia

(Walter) Blume

Mus. Bot. 1: 324. 1851 (as melissaefolia).

IllustratedConservation concernEndemic
Basionym: Laurus melissifolia Walter Fl. Carol., 134. 1788
Synonyms: Benzoin melissifolia (Walter) Nees (as melissaefolia)
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.

Low shrubs, rarely over 1.5 m. Young twigs pubescent. Leaves drooping, strongly aromatic (similar to sassafras or root beer) throughout growing season; petiole ca. 10 mm, pubescent. Leaf blade elliptic to ovate, 8-16 × 3-6 cm, membranous, base rounded to widely cuneate, margins ciliate, apex acute; surfaces abaxially and adaxially pubescent. Drupe nearly globose, ca. 12 mm; fruiting pedicels of previous season persistent on stem, stout, 9-12 mm, apex enlarged.


Phenology: Flowering spring.
Habitat: Low woods, depressions, pond and sink margins, Coastal Plain and Mississippi Embayment
Elevation: 0-100 m

Distribution

V3 538-distribution-map.gif

Ark., Ga., Miss., Mo., N.C., S.C.

Discussion

Of conservation concern.

Lindera melissifolia has not been seen in Alabama, Florida, or Louisiana in over a century.

The orthographic variants "melissaefolia" and "melisaefolium" have sometimes been used.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Lindera melissifolia"
B. Eugene Wofford +
(Walter) Blume +
Laurus melissifolia +
Ark. +, Ga. +, Miss. +, Mo. +, N.C. +  and S.C. +
0-100 m +
Low woods, depressions, pond and sink margins, Coastal Plain and Mississippi Embayment +
Flowering spring. +
Illustrated +, Conservation concern +  and Endemic +
Benzoin melissifolia +
Lindera melissifolia +
species +