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Calycanthus occidentalis
Calycanthus occidentalis Hook. & Arn.
Western Sweetshrub, California Sweet Shrub, Spice Bush, Western Spicebush
Calycanthaceae (Strawberry-shrub Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: CAOC5
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A mound-shaped, deciduous shrub, Western sweetshrub grows 6-15 ft. tall, with erect, multiple stems and glossy, aromatic, leathery, dark-green foliage. Terminal blossoms are solitary and dark red with numerous overlapping, strap-like petals. Unlike its eastern relative, Calycanthus floridus, the flowers of this sweet shrub are not fragrant. Leaves become yellow in fall but are usually not showy.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate , Ovate
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acute
Leaf Base: Rounded
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Height and spread 4-12 feet.
Flower: Flowers up to 3 inches across.
Fruit: 1-1 1/4 inches long.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Pink , BrownBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Each bloom only lasts 1-2 days.
Distribution
USA: CANative Distribution: CA Coast Ranges & w. Sierra Nevadas from Tulare Co. to Shasta Co.
Native Habitat: Moist stream banks below 4000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Calycanthus occidentalis will develop leaf burn if planting site is too dry.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Introduced into cultivation in 1831.Use Other: Wood used by indigenous peoples for arrows.
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Propagation
Propagation Material: Clump Division , Seeds , Softwood CuttingsDescription: Sow fresh, untreated seeds or store and stratify.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Prune only if needed.
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Bibref 1218 - Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources (2006) Anderson, M. Kat
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Additional resources
USDA: Find Calycanthus occidentalis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Calycanthus occidentalis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Calycanthus occidentalis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2011-01-08Research By: TWC Staff