Lindera Thunb. (Lauraceae)

Lindera is represented by three species in North Carolina. Lindera melissifolia is currently federally listed (E). Lindera subcoriacea is currently state listed (SC-V).

Federally listed taxon—
Lindera melissifolia (Fed E, State E | S1 G3)

Habitat. Variable: In North Carolina found exclusively associated with Carolina bays; in the deep south, associated with bottomland forests.

Range. Endemic to the southeastern United States.

Additional resources. NHP | Recovery plan

Key to Lindera in North Carolina

Key adapted from Weakley (2008). Photos by Krings, unless otherwise indicated. Line drawings from the Flora of North America (Oxford University Press). Maps courtesy of USDA PLANTS and the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.

1. Leaves generally thick, subcoriaceous (sometimes thinner in shade), 4–8 cm x 2–3.5 cm, narrowly obovate to oblanceolate, pubescent and strongly whitened below; leaves and bark faintly lemony aromatic...L. subcoriacea

Habit of Lindera subcoriacea (Photo: Krings)

Twig of Lindera subcoriacea (Photo: Krings)

Vegetative and floral buds of Lindera subcoriacea (Photo: Krings)

Flower of Lindera subcoriacea (Photo: Krings)

Leaves of Lindera subcoriacea (Photo: Krings)

Leaves of Lindera subcoriacea (Photo: Krings)

Leaves of Lindera subcoriacea (Photo: Krings)

Lindera subcoriacea
(rare [State SC-V, S2 G3]; sandhill seeps, Piedmont “pocosins”; Pd, CP)

1'. Leaves thin, membranous, 6–16 cm x 2–6 cm, obovate, elliptic, or ovate, glabrous to pubescent below, not strongly whitened; leaves and bark spicely aromatic...2.

2. Leaves narrowly ovate, apex acute, base widely cuneate to rounded, adaxial surface pubescent; shrubs colonial, to 2 m tall...L. melissifolia*

Habit of Lindera melissifolia (Photo: Krings)

Twig of Lindera melissifolia (Photo: Krings)

Leaves of Lindera melissifolia (Photo: Krings)

Buds of Lindera melissifolia (Photo: Krings)

Male flowers of Lindera melissifolia (Photo: Krings)

Female flowers of Lindera melissifolia (Photo: Krings)

Drupes of Lindera melissifolia (Photo: Krings)

Lindera melissifolia*
(rare [Fed E, S1 G3]; wet depressions; Pd, CP; growing season)

2'. Leaves widely obovate, apex short-acuminate, base cuneate, adaxial surface glabrous; shrubs not colonial, frequently multi-stemmed from base, to 5 m tall...L. benzoin

Habit of Lindera benzoin (Photo: Krings)

Habit of Lindera benzoin (Photo: Krings)

Twig of Lindera benzoin (Photo: Krings)

Twig of Lindera benzoin (Photo: Krings)

Flower of Lindera benzoin (Photo: Krings)

Leaves of Lindera benzoin (Photo: Krings)

Leaves of Lindera benzoin (Photo: Krings)

Lindera benzoin
(common; rich to mesic forests, bottomlands, swamps; Mt, Pd, CP)