The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: yellow-flower common sweetshrub, yellow-flower Carolina-allspice

Family: Calycanthaceae (strawberry-shrub family)

Synonym: Calycanthus floridus 'Katherine'

Distribution: Species native to e. United States

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Deciduous shrub/Subshrub

Comments: A deciduous shrub growing to around 12' tall and spreading irregularly. Noted for its very fragrant, creamy yellow flowers which open in late spring (May) and persist into early summer. Foliage consists of simple, opposite leaves which take on an attractive yellow fall color. Light gray bark is smooth and fragrant when crushed; older wood becomes darker gray. Fruit is borne sparsely and appears as urn-shaped, dark brown capsules, bearing shiny dark brown seed.