Sassafras
Sassafras albidum

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.

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Close up up a sassagrass leaf with a redish-orange color.
Sassafras leaves change to yellow, orange or red in autumn. (Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program)

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Appearance

The sassafras has bright green, mitten-like leaves with 2 to 3 lobes. Young leaves are reddish-pink and turn green as they grow. Leaves change to yellow, orange or red in autumn. The bark is reddish-brown and deeply ridged.

Young trees have greenish-tinged bark. Fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers bloom in April to June. Sassafras can grow to 50 feet tall.

Reproduction and life cycle

In late summer, trees produce small, dark blue, oval-shaped fruits on top of bright red, cup-like stalks. Songbirds and small mammals scatter the seeds.

Trees begin producing seeds when they are 10 years old. After that, they fruit once a year or every other year.

Did you know?

  • Native Americans valued sassafras for its medicinal purposes. They used parts of the tree to treat fever, diarrhea, measles, coughs, indigestion, nausea and colds.
  • Leaves can be used as a spice to add flavor to foods and soups.
  • Sassafras heartwood is often used in boat construction because it is light and durable.
  • Songbirds and small mammals such as squirrels like to eat sassafras fruits.

Sources and additional information

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