Sassafras

SASSAFRAS (Sassafras Sassafras, Karst). 30 to 50 feet; rarely 100 feet. Narrow, flat, or loose, open, irregular head, of short, stout branches. Roots fleshy, aromatic, sending up suckers. Bark used to make tea. Bark reddish brown, fissured in broad plates, scaly, spicy, aromatic. Wood brownish-yellow, soft, weak, brittle, durable in soil, used for boat building, fencing, and cooperage. Leaves of three forms: ovate, tapering at both ends; mitten-shaped, with thumb-like side lobe; 3-lobed, with thumb on each side; dull yellow-green, pale beneath, 4 to 6 inches long, turning orange and red.

Flowers in May, dicecious, small, yellow, in corymbs on sep arate trees. Fruit berry-like, soft, blue, on thickened, scarlet base and calyx. Dist.: Borders of peaty bogs, woodlands and fencerows; Vermont to Kansas; south to Florida and Texas. Valuable ornamental tree.