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