A tree famous for its fragrant roots (used in old-school root beer until banned for safrole) and its leaves with three different shapes on the same branch — mitten-shaped, three-lobed, and unlobed.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Sassafras is a genus of three extant and one extinct species of deciduous trees in the family Lauraceae, native to eastern North America and eastern Asia. The genus is distinguished by its aromatic properties, which have made the tree useful to humans.
Source: Wikipedia — Sassafras Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Medium tree with mitten-shaped, three-lobed, and unlobed leaves all on the same tree. Brilliant fall color.
Similar species. No other US tree has multiple leaf shapes. Various other aromatic species (different families).
Voice. N/A
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis
Behavior. Distinctive native tree with three different leaf shapes on the same individual. Aromatic; roots historically used for sassafras tea.
§ Range
Eastern US from Maine to Florida and west to Iowa
§ Habitat
Forest edges, fence rows, abandoned fields, clearings
§ Threats
Conversion to clean fence rows, deer browsing on saplings, herbicide drift.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the sassafras is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Plant sassafras as host for promethea moths and tiger swallowtails. Don't spray fence rows. Maintain forest edges.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Sassafras
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Sassafras albidum
- iNaturalist · taxon 52780
- IUCN Red List — search for Sassafras albidum
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Sassafras albidum
§ Sources cited
- USDA Plants Database
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Morton Arboretum
