Weirdo Shrub

[children_of_lir]

We moved to a new place shortly after the new year; discovering what flora the previous owners left us, has been an ongoing and interesting experience

Comments

[dark_phoenix54]

I believe that is calycanthus, the sweetspice (or is it spicebush?) Well, anyway, the technical name will get you to it.

[children_of_lir]

AHA! Thanks for the lead, that did indeed get me to destination:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calycanthus

Specifically, looks like it's calycanthus floridus (Carolina sweetshrub).

If the picture hadn't clinched it, the descriptors "leathery maroon flowers are not very showy" and "the scent of the flower has been compared to bubblegum" would have...

[squid_ink]

that's my guess too.. a spicebush

it's the right zone for it, too

[skyfiery]

Are those red things flowers or fruits? To me, it looks somewhat like the roselle plant.

[children_of_lir]

Flowers. And potent ones, at that (see above, we ID'd it.)

Bit of a bummer in the wiki article; in the gardens of days gone by, seems scent was valued at least as much as showy blooms. On the latter, this one loses out.

This one has apparently fallen by the wayside. Except in the SE US, where it's endemic.