Sassafras albidumIndiana Native
Common Sassafras

Family:

Lauraceae (Laurel Family) 2

Genus:

Sassafras (Sassafras) 1

Plant Type:

Tree 583

Growth Forms:

Upright 578

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 523

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 849

Flower Notes:

Cream (Slightly fragrant 1-2" long apetalous terminal racemes appearing in April)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Bright medium green leaves in summer, non-lobed, mitten-shaped, or three lobed); Multi-Colored (Develops shades of yellow to deep orange to scarlet fall foliage in October, quite excellent)

Stem Notes:

Bright Yellowish Green to Red (glabrous, glaucous, spicy aroma in taste and smell)

Fruit Notes:

Clusters of bluish-black berries (drupes) which mature in September

Ultimate Height:

30-60 feet

Ultimate Spread:

25-40 feet

Bloom Times:

Fruiting Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Water Requirements:

Medium 215

Soil Notes:

Widely adapted to different soils, but high pH can cause iron chlorosis and turn leaves yellow

Range:

Eastern North America

Maintenance:

Medium 87

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Polymorphic leaves are alternate, simple, entire and 3-7" long. Terminal flower buds are green tinged with more red toward tip. Sympodial growth due to stem growth from lateral rather than terminal buds in spring. Stems have spicy-aromatic smell and taste.

Ecological Functions:

Purdue Plant Doctor

Parts and Problems of Sassafras

Special Characteristics:

Additional Information

Roots sucker and form thickets, which may or may not be desirable. Sassafras tea contains safrole, a mild carcinogen banned in food products. Iron chlorosis in high pH can turn leaves yellow.

Plant Photo Gallery

Tree Habit

Flowers

Bud

Leaf

Polymorphic Leaves

Fall Foliage

Bark

Flowers

Bud

When Sassafras albidum has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Week 1 flowering not present	Week 2 flowering not present	Week 3 flowering not present	Week 4 flowering not present	Week 5 flowering not present	Week 6 flowering not present	Week 7 flowering not present	Week 8 flowering not present	Week 9 flowering not present	Week 10 flowering not present	Week 11 flowering not present	Week 12 flowering not present	Week 13 flowering not present	Week 14 flowering not present	Week 15 flowering not present	Week 16 flowering present	Week 17 flowering present	Week 18 flowering present	Week 19 flowering present	Week 20 flowering present	Week 21 flowering not present	Week 22 flowering not present	Week 23 flowering not present	Week 24 flowering not present	Week 25 flowering not present	Week 26 flowering not present	Week 27 flowering not present	Week 28 flowering not present	Week 29 flowering not present	Week 30 flowering not present	Week 31 flowering not present	Week 32 flowering not present	Week 33 flowering not present	Week 34 flowering not present	Week 35 flowering not present	Week 36 flowering not present	Week 37 flowering not present	Week 38 flowering not present	Week 39 flowering not present	Week 40 flowering not present	Week 41 flowering not present	Week 42 flowering not present	Week 43 flowering not present	Week 44 flowering not present	Week 45 flowering not present	Week 46 flowering not present	Week 47 flowering not present	Week 48 flowering not present	Week 49 flowering not present	Week 50 flowering not present	Week 51 flowering not present	Week 52 flowering not present

Fruiting

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Week 1 fruiting not present	Week 2 fruiting not present	Week 3 fruiting not present	Week 4 fruiting not present	Week 5 fruiting not present	Week 6 fruiting not present	Week 7 fruiting not present	Week 8 fruiting not present	Week 9 fruiting not present	Week 10 fruiting not present	Week 11 fruiting not present	Week 12 fruiting not present	Week 13 fruiting not present	Week 14 fruiting not present	Week 15 fruiting not present	Week 16 fruiting not present	Week 17 fruiting not present	Week 18 fruiting not present	Week 19 fruiting not present	Week 20 fruiting not present	Week 21 fruiting not present	Week 22 fruiting not present	Week 23 fruiting not present	Week 24 fruiting not present	Week 25 fruiting not present	Week 26 fruiting present	Week 27 fruiting present	Week 28 fruiting present	Week 29 fruiting present	Week 30 fruiting present	Week 31 fruiting present	Week 32 fruiting present	Week 33 fruiting present	Week 34 fruiting present	Week 35 fruiting present	Week 36 fruiting present	Week 37 fruiting present	Week 38 fruiting present	Week 39 fruiting present	Week 40 fruiting present	Week 41 fruiting present	Week 42 fruiting present	Week 43 fruiting present	Week 44 fruiting not present	Week 45 fruiting not present	Week 46 fruiting not present	Week 47 fruiting not present	Week 48 fruiting not present	Week 49 fruiting not present	Week 50 fruiting not present	Week 51 fruiting not present	Week 52 fruiting not present

37 Sassafras albidum found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	2013_00607*A	HORTPARK
2	2013_00502*A	HORTPARK
3	2013_00575*A	HORTPARK
4	2013_00500*A	HORTPARK
5	2013_00549*A	HORTPARK
6	2013_00501*A	HORTPARK
7	2013_00498*A	HORTPARK
8	2013_00172*A	HORTPARK
9	2013_00547*A	HORTPARK
10	2013_00313*A	HORTPARK
11	2013_00423*A	HORTPARK
12	ORIG_1832*A	PUSH
13	2013_00545*A	HORTPARK
14	2013_00503*A	HORTPARK
15	2013_00590*A	HORTPARK
16	2013_00548*A	HORTPARK
17	ORIG_3906*A	HLTP
18	2013_00499*A	HORTPARK
19	2013_00546*A	HORTPARK
20	2018_01090*A	HORT
21	2021_00019*L	HAMP
22	2021_00019*B	HAMP
23	2021_00019*I	HAMP
24	2021_00019*O	HAMP
25	2021_00019*D	HAMP
26	2021_00019*P	HAMP
27	2021_00019*J	HAMP
28	2021_00019*K	HAMP
29	2021_00019*M	HAMP
30	2021_00019*G	HAMP
31	2021_00019*F	HAMP
32	2021_00019*N	HAMP
33	2023_00147*A	HORTPARK
34	2023_00203*B	HORTPARK
35	2023_00819*A	ZL1
36	2025_00016*A	HAMP
37	2025_00016*B	HAMP

Other plants like this Sassafras albidum (Common Sassafras)

Lindera benzoin
[Spicebush]