When native plants are brought up in a conversation, I usually think about their role in supporting healthy ecosystems by providing essential resources for wildlife and sustaining biodiversity. However, my introduction to one native plant species while working in the Mundy Wildflower Garden this past summer also reminded me of a perspective that we often forget about—humans’ long-standing relationship with nature. The species that shifted my approach to sustainable landscapes is Lindera benzoin, commonly known as spicebush.  

Spicebush is a native perennial shrub found throughout the moist understories of eastern North America. When I was first introduced to the species, what caught my attention was the highly aromatic scent released when its leaves were crushed. Its bright citrusy and peppery fragrance made me wonder whether its common name had a story behind it. As I learned more, I discovered that Indigenous communities, such as the Cherokee, have been using every part of the shrub for culinary and medicinal purposes. The leaves, twigs, and berries are used to flavor teas, stews, meats, and desserts, while barks and roots were traditionally used to treat colds, measles, and venereal diseases. This aspect gave me a deeper appreciation for spicebush, as I was reminded that people once relied on native plants as sources of nourishment, healing, and survival (and still are today).  

Learning about spicebush expanded the way I think about native plants and the role they play in sustainable landscapes. While we often emphasize their ecological resilience and the habitat they provide for wildlife, I believe it is also crucial to remember that they carry generations of knowledge, stories, and relationships between people and the land. Recognizing these biocultural connections has made my work feel more meaningful, and it reminds me that stewarding native landscapes also looks like honoring their long-standing relationships with us. As I continue my work leading the Sustainable Landscapes team, I want to look beyond each plant’s ecological role and understand the human histories rooted alongside these native species and share that knowledge with the visitors and the community wherever I go.

Fun fact: spicebush is a host plant for spicebush swallowtail butterflies (caterpillar shown in the picture above)!