Cneoridium dumosum (Spicebush, Bush Rue)

Photographs

My photos:

This plant was everywhere we went in Torrey Pines, and it smells wonderful.

More photos:

Wildflowers of Southern California photo, and SDSU photos.

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Rutaceae

In the garden:

Spicebush is a small evergreen shrub with grayish bark, which grows to about 2 to 3 feet in height on the coast. It has light lime-green foliage with white flowers, followed by small pea-sized berries of varying colors. It has a strong orange scent. It’s leaves can cause a rash. It is a good plant for color contrast on slopes.

In the wild:

Frequent on mesas and bluffs, below 2500 feet. It occurs in Orange and San Diego counties.

Ethnobotany:

There is a reference to an unspecified medicinal use by native people.

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines

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