Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Sassafras

Sassafras albidum
Plant Type: Trees
Native Environment: Forest, Savanna / Woodland
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost), Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Gold, Orange, Purple, Red, Yellow

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Sun Exposure 
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Butterfly / Moth Nectar, Cover, Food/Birds, Food/Small Animals, Nesting
Animal
Resistance
Size

Height:

30 to
60
feet

Spread:

25 to
30
feet
Size
Height: 30 to
60
feet
Spread: 25 to
30
feet
Size
Height: 30 to
60
feet
Spread: 25 to
30
feet
Typical Landscape Use
The bark and roots are used to make sassafras tea. Great to establish a colony at the edge of a wood or any area with adequate space to naturalize on a property.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Plant young seedlings in spring. Prefers full sun or partial shade. Difficult to transplant due to it's taproot. Trim suckers to form a single trunk specimen tree if desired.
Special Features
Interesting Bark
Special Usage
Fragrant
Basic Description

A medium-sized tree with all-season interest. Clusters of yellow flowers in early spring. The fragrant mitten-shaped leaves are bright green. In fall, colors range from deep orange to scarlet and purple. Winter interest is the candelabra-like branching and dark corky bark. Grows naturally as a suckering colony. Host plant for many moths and butterflies.

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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?

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