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Calycanthus floridus glaucus - (Willd.)Torr.&A.Gray.

Common Name Eastern Sweetshrub
Family Calycanthaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards Some reports say that the fruits are poisonous to sheep[235]. Calycanthus contains calycanthine, an alkaloid similar to strychnine, and it is toxic to humans and livestock[270].
Habitats Rich woodlands[43]. Deciduous or mixed woodlands, along streams and rivers, margins of woodlands from sea level to 1850 metres[270].
Range South-eastern N. America - Pennsylvania to North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Calycanthus floridus glaucus Eastern Sweetshrub


Calycanthus floridus glaucus Eastern Sweetshrub

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Calycanthus floridus glaucus is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. floridus glaucus. (Willd.)Torr.&Gray. C. glaucus.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

The leaves, root and bark are dried and used as a substitute for cinnamon[177]. Some caution is advised, see reports above on toxicity[270].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Urinary

Emmenagogue[61]. An infusion of the bark has been used to treat urinary problems[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a light loamy soil that is deep and moist but it succeeds in most fertile soils[11, 182]. Prefers a sunny position but it tolerates shade when grown in warm temperate zones[11, 200]. Requires a sheltered position, protected from cold winds[245]. A very ornamental plant, it is often confused with the closely related C. floridus and is perhaps no more than a sub-species of that species[11]. The leaves smell strongly of cinnamon[245]. The seed only ripens in Britain after a hot summer[11]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. If the seed is harvested 'green' (as soon as it has fully developed but before it has dried on the plant) and sown immediately it can germinate in 3 weeks[113]. Dried seed germinates in 1 - 6 months at 15°c[138]. Stored seed requires between 3 weeks and 3 months cold stratification before sowing in the spring. When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. They can be difficult[113]. Layering in spring. Sever the new plants in a wet spell of weather about 15 months later and then lift them in the autumn[78]. High percentage[78]. Division of suckers in early spring[11]. Very easy, they can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

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Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Calycanthus floridusCarolina Allspice, Eastern sweetshrub, Strawberry Bush, Sweetshrub, Carolina AllspiceShrub2.7 5-10 MLMSNM322
Calycanthus occidentalisCalifornian Allspice, Western sweetshrubShrub3.0 6-9  LMSNM312

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(Willd.)Torr.&A.Gray.

Botanical References

1143200

Links / References

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