Sassafras albidum - (image 1 of 3)
Taxonomy
Family: Lauraceae
Habitat
Woods, thickets, fencerows, old fields. A pioneer of disturbed areas. Does well in sandy soil.
Associates
Distribution
Southern ME west to MI and MO, south FL to eastern TX.
Morphology
Deciduous shrub or tree to 30 m. Twigs aromatic. Older bark deeply furrowed. Leaves on long petioles, entire or with 2-3 rounded lobes, with 3 main veins. Dioecous. Flowers greenish-yellow, on wood from the previous season; tepals 6, persistent; stamens 9. Fruit blue
Notes
Flowers April to May
Wetland indicator: Facultative Upland
One of only two species in this genus, the other occurring in China. Fall color ranges from red to orange or yellow.
References
Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of
Northeastern United States
and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.
The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY
Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.
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Michael Hough © 2009 |