Thelma Dalmas: Visit out of state gives sneak peek at things to come

Our only daughter lives in southeast Texas and I love to visit her at this time of year. Here in my yard, spring is only a promise, a hint of better days ahead. However, near the Gulf Coast that promise has been fully realized and I am always so happy to get a preview of what’s to come here at home. I am especially looking forward to seeing the spicebush in bloom. We will have flowers along our creek by the end of the month, but Jennifer says that her plants are in bloom now.

The tiny yellow flowers with their distinctive odor are easy to miss because the branches are still leafless. Sometimes called the “forsythia of the wild,” spicebush has been known as a medicinal plant long before Europeans first came to Virginia. Native Americans made a drink from the twigs that was useful for reducing fever. Early herbalists distilled oil from the berries to make a liniment for the treatment of rheumatism. In Colonial times, folk doctors prepared an extract from the bark that was used to treat colds, coughs, and other respiratory infections.

During the Revolution, housewives found spicebush berries to be a reasonable substitute for allspice. The leaves can be dried, ground, and brewed to prepare a refreshing tea. During the spring, spicebush blossoms can be added to a variety of fruit salads for extra sweetness.

Colonial surveyors believed that the presence of spicebush indicated fertile farmland. In fact, the shrub usually does grow in rich soil, but the key factor for this species is plenty of moisture. We have it at our house down by the stream and near the springs.

Spicebush is a deciduous shrub or small tree, reaching a maximum height of about 15 feet. It is found from Maine south to Florida and west to Kansas and Texas. The small, yellow flowers grow in clusters along the bare branches. Within a few weeks the smooth, pointed alternate leaves will appear. All parts of the plant give off a rich citrus aroma when crushed.

The bright red berries first appear in July and are a favorite food for many birds. I have seen cedar waxwings, robins, bluebirds, and mockingbirds feeding on the fruit. Incidentally, the berries can be dried and used in baked goods to impart a spicy flavor.

Although spicebush has a reputation for usefulness, that is not the reason that I like this plant so much. For me, the spicebush blossoms mean the imminent return of spring. As you read this, I’ll be with my grandson down at the creek behind his house where I’ll show him the tiny flowers. Since Jonah just celebrated his first birthday this past December, I don’t actually expect much of a reaction. In fact, I’ll probably have to be on guard every minute to prevent him from cramming most of the vegetation straight into his mouth. In spite of the necessity of coping with the inborn “grazing nature” of babies, I am looking forward to spring, southeast Texas, my daughter and her family.

News and Notes

The Lynchburg Bird Club will host a field trip to Augusta County on March 20. Meet at 7 a.m. at Amelon Square Shopping Center, at the intersection of Va. 130 and U.S. 29. Bring snacks, your lunch and drinks because we may not find many places to stop for food. Binoculars are essential and if you have a telescope, this will be handy. Heavy rain or other bad weather will postpone this trip. For more information, contact the field trip leader at (434) 298-7773.

Dalmas, a naturalist, writes a weekly column for The News & Advance. Readers may e-mail her at jtdalmas@juno.com.