Calyptranthes pallens
spicewood

Basic description: small multistemmed evergreen tree/large shrub with opposite simple leaves
Mature size: 15-20 feet, taller than wide
Typical natural location: hardwood hammocks
Typical landscape location: occasional use for buffers, trees in tight locations
Branch arrangement, structure, other features: opposite branching, typically multi-stemmed, branches very thin
Bark texture, color, other features: bark smooth and gray/light brown

Leaf structure, shape, color, size, persistence, other features: leaves evergreen, 1-3 inches long by 0.5-1 inch wide, simple, elliptic with acute tip, margins entire, growing at near 90-degree angle from stem, new growth reddish
Flower color, size, form, arrangement, blooming period, persistence, other features: white to beige, small, light fragrance, blooms in spring and summer
Fruit type, size, color (early/ripe), form, persistence, time of year, other features: berry, round, yellow red and black, matures late spring to mid summer
Root features: no prominent roots

Key features for identification: leaves growing at near 90-degree angle to stem, new growth reddish, stems very thin, branching opposite

Similar species/often confused with:

Torchwood (Amyris elemifera)
Similar features: overall size, multistemmed growth form, growing locations, leaf size
Distinguished by: torchwood has compound leaves with three leaflets, new growth on spicewood is red

Spanish stopper (Eugenia foetida)
Similar features: opposite simple leaves, multistemmed growth form
Distinguished by: Spanish stopper has smaller leaves that are more rounded at the ends, not spread at as wide of an angle

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