How to identify Common sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
Common sassafras, also known as Red sassafras
Common sassafras is a medium-sized, ornamental deciduous tree that matures into a dense, pyramidal shape. As it ages, the bark develops a reddish-brown color and becomes deeply furrowed. The flowers emerge as greenish-yellow clusters from April to May, adorning trees with separate male and female blooms. Leaves display a wide variety of shapes, from ovate to mitten-shaped to even three-lobed, and exhibit a bright green hue on top with a paler underside. In autumn, foliage transforms into a vivid display of yellow, orange, and red. The tree bears fruit in the form of bluish-black drupes, each nestled in a scarlet cup and supported by red stalks.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Tree
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Distinctive bark texture with deep furrows and corky ridges, rich red-brown color, and aromatic qualities.
Wide range of leaf shapes including oval, mitten-shaped, and three-lobed, with showy autumn colors.
Fragrant yellowish-green flowers with symmetrical tepals, small size (1/4 inch or 0.6 cm wide).
Medium-sized tree with pyramidal shape, ornamental deciduous nature, and vivid fruit display in scarlet cups.
Smooth, round stem varying in color, gray lenticels, aromatic scent, and greenish buds (1/4 inch or 0.6 cm).
The leaves of common sassafras are medium green, measuring 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long and 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide. They exhibit three distinct shapes: oval without lobes, mitten-shaped, and three-lobed. The undersides are paler or white. The arrangement is alternate, and the margins range from entire to lobed. In fall, the leaves turn showy colors of red, orange, and yellow, aiding in easy identification.
The flowers of common sassafras are delightfully fragrant, featuring a sweet, lemony scent. They are glabrous and display greenish-yellow tepals. Each flower is small, about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) across, with the tepals arranged symmetrically. Blooming occurs in early spring, usually between April and May. The clusters of these yellowish-green flowers are both visually appealing and aromatic, making them easily distinguishable. Their fragrance and unique coloration are key features for identification.
The stem of common sassafras is smooth, round, and varies in color from greenish-yellow to greenish-brown, marked with distinctive gray lenticels. Young stems emit a spicy scent when scratched or broken. The buds are approximately 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) long and green in color. This stem's consistent textural and olfactory characteristics make it notable for identification, particularly the aromatic quality of young stems.
The fruit of common sassafras is a collection of bluish-black drupes that exhibit a sleek, nearly spherical shape, each measuring approximately 0.4 inches (1 cm) in length. These berries are cradled within vibrant red, cup-shaped receptacles and suspended from striking red stalks about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. Typically observable from June through July, the fruits reach full maturity by September, when they display their distinct coloration most prominently, offering a visually appealing contrast against the foliage.
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Scientific Classification of Common sassafras
