Pondspice is a native deciduous small tree or large shrub in the Lauraceae (laurel) family, and is only found on the coastal plains of the southeastern United States from Florida to Maryland. It is listed as endangered in Florida and Maryland, and as threatened in Georgia. It may be found on the edge of swamps, cypress ponds and Carolina bays, and may form thickets near pond margins. The clearing and draining of wetlands has reduced this species' habitats, making it vulnerable. Pondspice grows 10 to 20 feet tall reproduces by seeds dispersed by birds or small mammals and by suckering or rhizomes. It need shade to partial shade in sandy acidic soil that is moist to wet. Clusters of small white flowers appear at the tips of twigs in early spring before the leaves. They are followed by small fleshy red round drupes. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The branches have a zigzag pattern, which is distinctive for this species. The plant could be used around ponds, streams and bogs. Make sure you are not getting infected plants. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Pondspice as well as other species of the Laurel family are at risk of being infected with a fungal disease known as Laurel Wilt. The Redbay Ambrosia Beetle is responsible for spreading the fungus, which has resulted in threatening this endangered plant
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Rounded
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Leathery; Smooth
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The small leaves are green through the spring and summer months, but in the fall, they turn to a bright yellow. They are up to 1.5 inches long and somewhat leathery.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower form
Umbel
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The tiny flowers of the Pondspice appear in clusters on the tips of the branches and emerge before the leaves appear. Each flower is 0.25 inches wide and has 6 yellow sepals. The female and male flowers grow on separate plants. The female flowers have 1 ovary, 9 non functional stamens, 1 pistil, and ring of nectar producing glands. The male flowers have 9 stamens and 4 openings on the anther. They bloom in late winter to early spring from March to April.
Bloom time
Spring; Winter
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit, which occurs in the fall, is red, round, fleshy, and measures 0.2 to 0.4 inch long.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
Light gray when young, maturing to brown-gray with numerous lenticles
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
The branches are reddish brown in color, smooth to sparsely pubescent and have a distinctive zigzag shape.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern United States
Distribution
Coastal Plains of Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.
Wildlife value
The female Pondspice flower attracts bees and flies for nectar and pollination. Birds and small mammals feed on the berries.
Attracts
Bees; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Drupe
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Pond
Landscape theme
Native Garden; Pollinator Garden; Shade Garden; Water Garden
Design feature
Small groups; Small Tree
Garden tags
#small tree #native tree #native shrub #OBL #wet soils tolerant #deciduous shrub #rare #NC native #NC Native Pollinator Plant