Plant Family: Lauraceae
Growth Form: Small to medium-sized tree; many understory saplings are often present near the parent tree.
Leaves: Alternate, simple; either elliptic, or with 2 or 3 lobes, all on the same tree; the crushed leaves are pleasantly aromatic.
Bark: Green on young trees and branches, becoming strongly ridged and furrowed on older trees.
Flowers: Small, greenish yellow, with six petals, in open clusters near the branch ends, appearing in spring before the leaves.
Fruits: Shiny, dark blue drupes held on a red stalk.
Habitat: Prefers well-drained fertile soils of upland woods, also seen as a pioneer species in old fields and forest clearings.
Range: Uncommon or absent in northern New England, common in southern New England, ranging south to the Gulf Coast.
Key Feature: The variable leaf shapes, all on the same tree, are unique to this species.
Comments: Oils derived from the bark and roots formerly had many culinary and medicinal uses. Sassafras (and its relative Spicebush) are primary host plants for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly.
