Sassafras albidumIndiana NativeIndiana Native
Common Sassafras

Sassafras albidum - Tree Habit
 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 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:
 Soil Notes:
Widely adapted to different soils, but high pH can cause iron chlorosis and turn leaves yellow
 Range:
Eastern North America
 Maintenance:
 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:
  Special Characteristics:
  • Fall Color 238
  • Fast Growth Rate 229
  • Fragrant Flowers 188
  • Indiana Native 162
  • Naturalizing 114

    • 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.

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

    Flowering

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

    Fruiting

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

    37 Sassafras albidum found

    Building Map...

    = Heritage plant = Memorial plant
    Number Accession ID Location
    12013_00607*AHORTPARK
    22013_00502*AHORTPARK
    32013_00575*AHORTPARK
    42013_00500*AHORTPARK
    52013_00549*AHORTPARK
    62013_00501*AHORTPARK
    72013_00498*AHORTPARK
    82013_00172*AHORTPARK
    92013_00547*AHORTPARK
    102013_00313*AHORTPARK
    112013_00423*AHORTPARK
    12ORIG_1832*APUSH
    132013_00545*AHORTPARK
    142013_00503*AHORTPARK
    152013_00590*AHORTPARK
    162013_00548*AHORTPARK
    17ORIG_3906*AHLTP
    182013_00499*AHORTPARK
    192013_00546*AHORTPARK
    202018_01090*AHORT
    212021_00019*LHAMP
    222021_00019*BHAMP
    232021_00019*IHAMP
    242021_00019*OHAMP
    252021_00019*DHAMP
    262021_00019*PHAMP
    272021_00019*JHAMP
    282021_00019*KHAMP
    292021_00019*MHAMP
    302021_00019*GHAMP
    312021_00019*FHAMP
    322021_00019*NHAMP
    332023_00147*AHORTPARK
    342023_00203*BHORTPARK
    352023_00819*AZL1
    362025_00016*AHAMP
    372025_00016*BHAMP

    Other plants like this Sassafras albidum (Common Sassafras)

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