Lindera
Lindera Lindera
Lindera (pronounced lin-DER-uh) is a genus of about 80-100 species of flowering plants in the family Lauraceae, mostly native to eastern Asia but with three species in eastern North America. The species are evergreen or deciduous shrubs or small trees.
Etymology
The genus name, Lindera, is derived from the Swedish botanist, Johan Linder (1676–1724), who was a professor of botany at Uppsala University.
Description
The Lindera species are characterized by their yellow, aromatic flowers which appear in early spring, often before the leaves, and are followed by small, shiny, black, berry-like drupes. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, and entire. The fruit is a small, shiny, black, berry-like drupe.
Species
Some of the notable species of Lindera include:
- Lindera benzoin (Spicebush)
- Lindera obtusiloba (Bluntlobe Spicebush)
- Lindera strychnifolia (Japanese Evergreen Spicebush)
- Lindera umbellata (Japanese Spicebush)
Uses
Lindera species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species. Some species are used in traditional medicine. For example, Lindera benzoin is used in traditional medicine for its purported anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
Related Terms
- Lauraceae: The family to which Lindera belongs.
- Drupe: A type of fruit that Lindera produces.
- Lepidoptera: The order of insects that use Lindera as a food source.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lindera
- Wikipedia's article - Lindera
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