Family:  Lauraceae – Laurel family
Latin name:  Sassafras albidum
Common name:  Common Sassafras

• Sassafras albidum is often found growing in groups.
• The terminal bud of Sassafras albidum contains the flowers and is larger than the lateral buds. The terminal bud opens in late May and displays multiple yellow flowers.
• The bark of young trees and new branches is greenish. Older trees have reddish bark that it rough, thick and deeply ridged.
• Leaves of the sassafras may appear in one of three different shapes:
  • "mitten-shaped" with the thumb on either side
  • with 3 lobes
  • without lobes

Common Sassafras is native to the Eastern United States. Native Americans used the roots and bark of the sassafras in medicine. The leaves have been used as seasoning for soups and used to make a very flavorful tea. Winter buds and young leaves have been used in salads

IMPORTANT NOTE **** Possibly poisonous !!!

Safrole, an oil which is found in sassafras has been banned in the United States as food additives or flavoring agents by the FDA since 1976 because safrole may cause cancer.

Birds like to eat the fruits of the sassafras. Black bears, beaver, rabbits and squirrels eat the fruit, bark and wood.  White-tailed deer eat the twigs and leaves.

Karren Wcisel © copyright 2004 - 2009

Send email to Karrenw@aol.com

Please ask for permission before using my photographs. Larger sizes and additional photographs of the tree are often available.

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