Kircus, Marilyn
Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees
Sassafras
Lauraceae (Laurel Family)
The aromatic sassafras is a 35-50 ft.,
deciduous tree with horizontal branching in cloud-like tiers. The mahogany-brown
bark is deeply ridged and furrowed. Little bunches of yellow-green flower balls are scattered profusely over the female tree; more sparsely on the male. Dark-blue fruits on scarlet stalks appear on female plants in late summer. Bright-green, mitten-shaped,
oval, or three-lobed leaves have outstanding fall color.
The roots and root
bark supply oil of sassafras (used to perfume soap) and sassafras tea, and have been used to flavor root beer. Explorers and colonists thought the aromatic root
bark was a panacea, or cure-all, for diseases and shipped quantities to Europe. The greenish twigs and leafstalks have a pleasant, spicy, slightly gummy taste. Sassafras apparently is the American Indian name used by the Spanish and French settlers in Florida in the middle of the 16th century. This is the northernmost New World representative of an important family of tropical timbers.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Tree Leaf Complexity: Simple Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Flower: Flowers in 2 inch clusters
Fruit: Black, Blue
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MS , MO , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: ON Native Distribution: S.w. ME to c. MI & extreme s.e. KS, s. to FL & e. TX
Native Habitat: Open woodlands, Roadsides, Fence rows
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Rich, moist, sandy loams. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Acid-based
Conditions Comments: Sassafras can sucker into a small grove, but is easily controlled as a single tree. It is an appropriate
tree to introduce into disturbed sites with infertile soil. It grows most quickly in fertile soil, and though it prefers well-drained situations, it will tolerate soggy feet. Except for occasional iron chlorosis caused by high pH soils, the
tree is relatively free of problems. Sassafras is allelopathic and can discourage the growth of certain other plants within its root zone.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Attractive, Blooms ornamental, Fall conspicuous, Aromatic, Mass planting
Use Wildlife: Fruit-birds.
Use Food: EDIBLE PARTS: Tea made from young roots. Sweeten to taste. Only moderate amounts should be drunk. A spicy jelly can be made from strong tea with lemon joice, sugar and pectin. Green winter buds and young leaves can be added to salads. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Use Other: The
bark produces an orange dye and the roots yield aromatic oil of sassafras, which has been used as a fragrance in soaps and perfumes. (Kershaw)
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: Bark. Causes only low toxicity if ingested. In experimental animals symptoms include a weak carcinogen. Toxic Principle: Safrole.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Spicebush butterfly, Tiger swallow-tail, Palamedes butterflies, Pale Swallowtail.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Sassafras albidum is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2010-11-29
