Tree
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum ยท genus Sassafras
Probable sassafras at Portal 33, famous for its mix of unlobed, mitten, and three-lobed leaves and aromatic foliage.
About
Description
Famous mixture of leaf forms on the same plant: unlobed oval leaves + two-lobed 'mittens' + three-lobed leaves. Crushed foliage/twigs are aromatic. Mature fruit is dark blue-black on distinctive reddish stalks.
Safety Cautions
Sassafras root bark/oil contains safrole and requires safety/regulatory caution. Historical use should not be interpreted as unrestricted modern consumption guidance.
Edible with caution. Sassafras root bark/oil contains safrole and requires safety/regulatory caution.
Traditional use. Long folk/Indigenous medicinal history; safrole requires caution.
Native understory/small canopy tree; fruits support birds and other wildlife.
Fruits support birds and wildlife.
Fruit late summer/fall
Woodland edge/understory
Portal 33 woodland/edge
Long Indigenous and African American/folk history involving sassafras tea, flavoring and medicinal traditions. Historical use should not be interpreted as unrestricted modern consumption guidance.
Reconnect the correct Library photograph and document mixed leaf forms, aroma, bark and/or fruit.
Educational use only. Identification, edibility, and traditional medicinal knowledge is shared for learning. Always obtain positive identification before eating, harvesting, or medicinally using any plant or fungi. This Atlas is not medical advice.