Laurus benzoin, or Fever Bush - or Benzoin odoriferum, Spice Bush. - "The Spice Bush is a shrub, from four to ten feet high, remarkable for its graceful form, and large, hand-some leaves, particularly when found growing in the deep shade of a moist forest. Such a situation, where it seems most vigorous, is not favorable to the production of its flowers and fruit. In April, or the first part of May, clusters of from three to six flowers, of a greenish-yellow, on very short pedicels, appear from buds, distinct from the leaf-buds, in the axils of the last year's leaves. Fruit, a dark-red, or purple; drupe, (berry,) of an oval shape, in bunches from two to five. The stem is short and stout, not so long as the drupe. The plant derives its botanical name from its aromatic odor, resembling gum benzoin. This is to some persons always disagreeable."

The proper soil for the Spice Bush is the same as that for the Azalea, Rhododendron, etc.