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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lindera praecox is a deciduous Shrub growing to 7.5 m (24ft 7in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower from April to May. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Benzoin praecox. Parabenzoin praecox. (Sieb.&Zucc.)Nakai.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil
Edible Uses: Oil

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Oil

An oil obtained from the seed is used in lighting[46, 61].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a lime-free rather moist soil[200]. Prefers partial shade or dappled sunlight in a fertile moisture-retentive soil enriched with leafmould[200]. A very ornamental plant[1], but it is rather tender in Britain and is best grown in a semi-shaded position on a wall[200, 219]. It is fairly hardy at Kew, but it only flowers well there when it is grown on a wall[11]. Plants can be pruned right back to the base if required, though any drastic pruning is best spread over several seasons[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse. The seed has a short viability and should not be allowed to dry out[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Give some protection from cold for at least the plants first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July in a frame[200]. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku)

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Lindera assamica		Tree	0.0	-		LMH	S	M	0	0	2
Lindera benzoin	Spice Bush, Northern spicebush, Bush Northern Spice	Shrub	3.0	4-9	S	LMH	S	M	3	3	3
Lindera glauca	Grayblue Spicebush	Shrub	5.0	5-9		LMH	SN	M	2	1	2
Lindera megaphylla		Tree	10.0	7-10		LMH	S	M	0	0	1
Lindera obtusiloba		Shrub	6.0	5-9		LMH	S	M	2	0	1
Lindera pulcherrima		Tree	7.0	-		LMH	S	M	0	0	2
Lindera strychnifolia		Shrub	9.0	-		LMH	S	M	0	2
Lindera umbellata		Shrub	3.0	6-9		LMH	SN	M	1	0	2

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.

Lindera praecox - (Siebold.&Zucc.)Blume.