Northern Spicebush Pollen Color, Bloom Season and Bee Forage

Visual guideNorthern Spicebush pollen

Photo: Jason Hollinger · CC BY 2.0

Plant Facts

SeasonSpring

USDA Zone4 - 9

Plant TypeShrub

ForagePollen and nectar

Pollen ValueMedium

Nectar ValueMedium

Color FamilyOrange and amber

Scientific NameLindera benzoin

Common NamesNorthern spicebush, Spicebush

Native RegionsEastern United States, Southern Ontario

Range StatusNative to eastern North America.

Color ConfidenceModerate

Color MethodA species-level pollen-library record describes the pollen as bright yellow; the digital swatch is approximate.

Reviewed2026-10-11

Quick Answer

Northern Spicebush pollen is shown in this guide as an orange and amber tone. It is listed as shrub, associated with spring bloom timing, USDA zone 4 - 9, and pollen and nectar forage value.

Pollen Color Notes

The visual color shown for Northern Spicebush is grouped broadly with orange and amber pollen tones. It is intended for comparison and identification support, not as a laboratory measurement.

Pollen color is highly variable. Lighting, pollen age, moisture, collection method, cultivar, and local growing conditions can all change how pollen appears. Use this as general visual guidance, not a scientific color standard or guaranteed field match.

Bloom, Zone, and Forage Context

Northern Spicebush is listed for spring. The record lists USDA zone 4 - 9; hardiness zones are planning context, not a precise flowering calendar. Approximate bloom months in the supplemental notes: March, April.

Its forage type is pollen and nectar, with pollen value marked as medium and nectar value marked as medium. Spicebush contributes early-season pollen and nectar in eastern woodlands and native gardens.

Identification Notes

Northern spicebush is an aromatic woodland shrub with clusters of small yellow flowers opening before the leaves and red fruit on female plants later in the year.

Flower color note: Yellow. Flower color and pollen color may differ.

Related by Similar Color

Virginia Spiderwort - Orange and amber Evening Primrose (Wild) - Orange and amber Ox-Eye Daisy - Orange and amber Tomato - Orange and amber Common Beech - Orange and amber Lilac (Common) - Orange and amber

Related by Season

Apple - Spring Ash - Spring Asparagus - Spring Bell Heath - Spring Berberis - Spring Birch - Spring

Related by Plant Type

Adam's Needle - Shrub Bell Heath - Shrub Berberis - Shrub Blackberry - Shrub Blackhaw Viburnum - Shrub Blackthorn - Shrub

Related by USDA Zone

Adam's Needle - Zone 4 - 10 Alder - Zone 2 - 7 Allium - Zone 3 - 9 Almond - Zone 4 - 8 Alsike Clover - Zone 3 - 8 American Basswood - Zone 3 - 8

Related by Bee Forage

Adam's Needle - Pollen and nectar Alfalfa - Pollen and nectar Allium - Pollen and nectar Almond - Pollen and nectar Alsike Clover - Pollen and nectar American Basswood - Pollen and nectar

Sources

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
USDA hardiness zone context USDA PLANTS Database
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
scientific name, common name, distribution context, plant classification The Anther's Promise pollen library
The Anther's Promise / reviewed 2026-10-11
pollen color category, bloom period, pollen morphology, bee resource context Selecting Plants for Pollinators regional guides
Pollinator Partnership / reviewed 2026-10-11
North American regional plant selection, native range context, bloom timing, pollinator value Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Foundation contributors / reviewed 2026-07-12
plant image, image credit link