Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
Sassafras have bright green, mitten-like leaves with 2-3 lobes. (ZeNeeceC/Flickr)
The sassafras is a medium-sized, deciduous tree with bright green, mitten-like leaves. It grows in moist, open woods throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Appearance:
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Bright green, mitten-like leaves with 2-3 lobes
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Young leaves are reddish-pink and turn green as they grow. Leaves change to yellow, orange or red in autumn.
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Reddish-brown, deeply ridged bark. Young trees have greenish-tinged bark.
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Fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers that bloom in April-June
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Grows to 50 feet tall
Habitat:
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Grows in moist, open woods
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Often colonizes roadsides and abandoned fields
Range:
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Grows throughout the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
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In late summer, trees produce small, dark blue, oval-shaped fruits on top of bright red, cup-like stalks
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Songbirds and small mammals scatter the seeds
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Trees begin producing seeds when they are 10 years old. After that, they fruit once a year or every other year.
Other Facts:
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Native Americans valued sassafras for its medicinal purposes, using parts of the tree to treat fever, diarrhea, measles, coughs, indigestion, nausea and colds
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Leaves can be used as a spice to add flavor to foods and soups
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Heartwood is often used in boat construction because it is light and durable
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Songbirds and small mammals such as squirrels like to eat sassafras fruits
Sources and Additional Information:
