Practical
Plants

Calycanthus floridus

Carolina Allspice

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Calycanthus genus in the family Calycanthaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
2.7 m
Spread
2 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Ruminants are reported to have a toxic reaction from grazing this plant[16][13].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The aromatic bark is dried and used as a substitute for cinnamon[11][3][18][19][1][6][9].

Product or use
Condiment

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Antispasmodic, disinfectant[2][7]. The plant contains an alkaloid that has a powerfully depressant action on the heart[16]. A fluid extract has been used as an antiperiodic[16]. A tea made from the root or bark has been used as a strong emetic and diuretic for kidney and bladder ailments[13][15]. A cold tea has been used as eye drops in the treatment of failing eyesight[13][15]. An ooze from the bark has been used to treat children's sores, whilst an infusion has been used to treat hives[15].

Product or use
Antiperiodic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Cardiac
Product or use
Disinfectant
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Skin

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves contain small quantities of camphor. They can be used as an insect repellent, perfume and disinfectant[7][15].

Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, west to Alberta and West Virginia.
Habitat
Rich low shady woodlands[16][17].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. If the seed is harvested 'green' (as soon as it has fully developed but before it has dried on the plant) and sown immediately it can germinate in 3 weeks[4]. Dried seed germinates in 1 - 6 months at 15°c[5]. Stored seed requires between 3 weeks and 3 months cold stratification before sowing in the spring. When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. They can be difficult[4]. Layering in spring. Sever the new plants in a wet spell of weather about 15 months later and then lift them in the autumn[20]. High percentage[20]. Division of suckers in early spring[3]. Very easy, they can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a light loamy soil that is deep and moist but succeeds in most fertile soils[3][8]. Requires a well-drained soil[10]. Prefers a sunny position but it tolerates shade when grown in warm temperate zones[3][12]. Requires a sheltered position, protected from cold winds[14]. Although the dormant plant is hardy to at least -20°c, the tender young growth in the spring can be damaged by late frosts[K]. All parts of the plant are richly fragrant[8]. The flowers have a refreshing scent of ripe apples[14]. The wood, leaves and roots smell strongly of camphor, whilst the bark smells like cinnamon[14]. This species is closely related to C. mohrii[8]. A very ornamental plant, there is at least one named variety developed for its ornamental value. 'Mrs Henry Type' is a large-flowered form[8]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[12].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  2. Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-090-x

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  5. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

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  6. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

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  7. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩1↩2

  8. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  10. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  11. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

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  12. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  13. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  16. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  17. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

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  18. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  19. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  20. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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