Calycanthus floridus

Linnaeus

Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1066. 1759.

Common names: Carolina-allspice sweetshrub
IllustratedEndemic
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.

Shrubs, to 3.5 m. Lateral bud partially hidden by petiole base. Petiole 3-10 mm, pubescent to glabrous. Leaf blade elliptic, broadly elliptic, oblong, or ovate, 5-15 × 2-6 cm, base acute to truncate, apex acute, acuminate, or blunt; surfaces abaxially green or glaucous, pubescent to glabrous. Flowers: hypanthium cylindric, ellipsoid, pyriform, or globose at maturity, 2-6 × 1-3 cm; tepals oblong-elliptic to obovate-lanceolate, 2-4 cm × 3-8 mm, apex acute; stamens 10-20, oblong. 2n = 22, 33.

Distribution

Ala., Fla., Ga., Ky., Md., Miss., N.C., Ohio, Pa., S.C., Tenn., Va., W.Va., temperate North America.

Discussion

The Cherokee used Calycanthus floridus for medicinal purposes (D. E. Moerman 1986).

Varieties 2: temperate North America.

Varieties 2

Selected References

None.

Key

1 Twigs pubescent; petiole and abaxial surface of leaf blade pubescent. Calycanthus floridus var. floridus
1 Twigs glabrous or with scattered trichomes; petiole and abaxial surface of leaf blade glabrous or with scattered trichomes. Calycanthus floridus var. glaucus