Table of Contents for Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is a deciduous tree found in mid-western and eastern United States and Ontario in Canada. This tree is a host plant to two species of butterfly and one species of moth. The greenish-yellow flowers come out in the spring and it is often found in woodlands, open areas, and roadsides. Sassafras can be purchased in the McMullen House Garden Shop.
Taxonomy and Naming of Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
Taxonomy
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) was first named and described by Thomas Nuttall in 1818 as Laurus albida. Before this, another name, Laurus sassafras, had been described by Carl Von Linnaeus in 1753, which became var. molle (Fernald 1936). Later in 1836, both were combined and renamed to the current name of Sassafras albidum by Christian Gottfried Daniel Nees von Esenbeck, a German botanist. This plant is a member of the Laurel Family (Lauraceae).
Meaning of Scientific and Common Names
Scientific Name
The genus name, Sassafras, likely comes from a Native American name from Florida (Missouri Botanical Garden). The species name, albidum, means white in Latin and is in reference to the white undersides of the leaves.
Common Name and Alternative Names
The common name comes from the genus name and the only other alternative name is common sassafras.
Physical Description of Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
Description
- Plant Type: Deciduous Tree
- Height: up to 90 feet
- Leaves: The leaves are alternate, simple, entire, and range from 3 to 7 inches in length and 1 to 4 inches in width. The leaves often have a distinctive mitten shape with three lobes.
- Flower color: greenish-yellow flowers
- Blooming period: spring (April to June)
- Fruit type and period: Drupe that matures in summer.
Range of Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) in the United States and Canada
This species is native in the mid-west and eastern United States. In Canada, it is found in Ontario. It is considered to be rare in the states of Iowa, Vermont, and Maine.
Habitat
This tree is often found in woodlands, open areas, and roadsides. It is also planted as a landscape tree.
Hosted Insects
This tree is a host to the Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus), Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes), and the Promethea silkmoth (Callosamia promethea). It also a host to the signate melanolophia (Melanolophia signataria), a species of moth (Williams 1995).
Other Supported Wildlife
The flowers attract bees and other pollinators. The fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
Is this tree poisonous?
This tree is considered to be lightly poisonous by the NC Extension Gardener. It is considered to be a carcinogen in rats (Kapadia, et al 1978).
Does this species have any uses?
Sassafras lumber is used in furniture, fence posts and railing. Extracts from it are used in foods, such as root beer, and fragrances. The bark can be used for tea and has a spicy odor when bruised.
Gardening with Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
Add Sassafras to Your Garden
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Hardiness
This species is hardy in zones 4-9. If your garden is within these zones and you have the right exposure, habitat, and soil, it is likely this species will grow in your garden. However, outside of the native range you may not have the pollinator relationships if the pollinators are not also there.
Optimal Conditions
Sassafras can grow in a variety of conditions and is very adaptable. In natural environments it can be found in wooded areas, fields, and along roadsides. In places with little competition it can form large clones.
References
- Fernald, Merritt Lyndon. 1936. Contributions from the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University – No. CXIII Rhodora 38: 165-182.
- Kapadia, G.J., et al. 1978. Carcinogenicity of some folk medicinal herbs in rats. Jour. Nat. Cancer Inst. 60: 683-686.
- Williams, Charles E. 1995. Sassafras albidum – A New Host plant Record For Larval Melanolophia signataria (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) From Central Virginia. Proc. of the Entomological Soc. of Washington 97: 894-895.
