Calycanthus occidentalis sweet shrub

Calycanthus occidentalis flower. John Rawlings, ca. 2005

Shrub with opposite leaves, entire, secondary veins ascending; slightly short-hairy on back of leaves and on branchlets. Showy reddish-brown perianth segments; stamens in several whorls. Two bushes in Old Union courtyard, south side as shown on Old Union tree map. One plant grows in the California Garden. May–June blooming, though flowers of the Old Union shrubs seldom survive shaping. Only 2 species in genus: California and eastern U.S.

Illustrations: gallery.

Name derivation: Calycanthus – calyx flower (Greek), from hollow receptacle; occidentalis – western.