NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Litsea aestivalis

Pondspice

Scientific Name:	Litsea aestivalis
Genus:	Litsea
Species Epithet:	aestivalis
Common Name:	Pondspice
Plant Type	Shrub
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Lauraceae (Laurel Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Size:	12-36 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	Yellow
Light:	Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Moist, Wet
Bloom Time:	March, April
Growing Area:	Coastal Plain
Habitat Description:	Margins of limesink ponds and Carolina bays, less commonly in wet depressions dominated by shrubs (Weakley 2015). Rare in NC Coastal Plain.
Leaf Arrangement:	Alternate
Leaf Retention:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Simple
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Has some wildlife value
Landscape Value:	Not Recommended for home landscapes
State Rank:	S2: Imperiled, S3: Vulnerable ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G_?: Uncertain (add status to NOTES section) ^(*Key)
State Status:	SC-V: Special Concern: Vulnerable ^(*Key)
Federal Status:	FSC - Federal Special Concern ^(*Key)
Notes:	"The fine, zigzag twigs are distinctive. It grows to 6 m tall, characteristically forming a rounded bush. A Southeastern Coastal Plain endemic." (Weakley 2015) NC Natural Heritage Program NC Rank: S2S3; Global Rank: G3?
In spring Rare and endemic to the Southeast Coastal Plain, Pondspice may also be at risk from Laurel Wilt, an exotic disease threatening plants in the Laurel family. The zigzag pattern of branching is a good identification mark. Paynter, April 2013
In bloom Paynter, April 2013
Close-up of the flowers
In fall
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record