#47
Accession Number: 0047-0000
Common Name: Sassafras
Latin Name: Sassafras albidum
Family: Lauraceae (Laurel Family)
Native Range: Eastern North America
Height: 30–60 feet
Spread: 25–40 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Greenish-yellow, not particularly showy
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4
Light Preference: Full sun to part shade
Water Needs: Medium
Notes: Works well as a specimen tree; tolerates deer, drought, clay soil
Description: Sassafras is a small to medium deciduous tree that grows naturally along forest edges, roads, fence rows and in fields. It spreads by root suckers and over time can form large colonies if unmanaged. Small but pretty greenish-yellow flower clusters appear in spring, followed by dark blue-black berries (only on female plants). The interesting leaves appear in three shapes: oval, 2-lobed “mittens,” and 3-lobed “gloves,” all on the same tree. Shows very good yellow, purple, and red fall color. The bark and leaves contain fragrant compounds, and different parts of the plant and extracts have historically been used for medicinal and culinary purposes, although in recent times the oils have been determined to contain a carcinogenic substance.
