Sassafras

Description:

Sassafras (usually Sassafras albidum, though other species exist) grow as aromatic trees with distinctive leaves that grows in Eastern North America, from southernmost Ontario, Canada through the eastern United States south to central Florida, and west to southern Iowa and eastern Texas. Sassafras trees grow from 15-35 m (50-120 feet) tall and 70-150 cm (2.5-6 feet) in diameter, with many slender branches, and smooth, orange-brown bark. They show sympodial branching. The bark of the mature trunk appears thick, red-brown, and deeply furrowed. The wood appears light, soft, weak, and brittle. All parts of the plants smell very fragrant. Sassafras distinguishes itself in having three distinct leaf patterns on the same plant; unlobed oval, bilobed (mitten-shaped), and trilobed (three pronged). They have smooth margins and grow 7-20 cm long by 5-10 cm broad. The young leaves and twigs appear quite mucilaginous, and produce a scent similar to lemons when crushed. The tiny, yellow flowers have five petals and bloom in the spring; they reproduce dioeciously, with male and female flowers on separate trees. The fruit appear blue-black, egg-shaped, 1 cm long, produced on long, red-stalked cups, and mature in late summer.

Habitat:

East Texas piney woods.

Notes:

Sassafras has a long history of herbal use. It was widely employed by many native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a wide range of complaints, valuing it especially for its tonic effect upon the body. It is still commonly used in herbalism and as a domestic remedy. Sassafras is an aromatic tree from the laurel family. Its roots and root bark provide an oil used to perfume soap and to flavor tea and root beer. The tree was thought to be a cure-all by Spanish colonists and its root bark was shipped in large quantities to Europe. Its new growth and leaf stalks are edible. They have a spicy, gummy flavor said to be quite pleasant. Sassafras is the northernmost representative of the laurel family.