Sassafras albidum

Sassafras oil is extracted from the bark and used for aromatherapy purposes

Sassafras albidum sassafras

Plant grows in the wild/spontaneouslyPlant is native to PA

This medium to large-sized tree is common as an understory or lower canopy tree. It is easily recognized because the leaves come in three basic shapes: "fingers", with three lobes; "mittens", with one large lobe, and a smaller "thumb", and egg-shaped without lobes. The margins of the leaves are without teeth. The crushed leaves, twigs, and bar are spicy-fragrant. A pleasant tea can be made by boiling the outer bark of the tree roots. Sassafras oil is used in some soaps and a bark extract can produce an orange dye. The wood is durable and was once used to make buckets, barrels, and small boats. The autumn colors vary from orange to deep red.

Contributed by: Mark Welchley

Grows in forests, edges of woods and hedgerows.

Present throughout the state.

Wetland codes
EMP: FACU
NCNE: FACU



Flowers late April through May; with leaves.

Fruits September through October.

Leaves  simple with one leaf per node

S-rank:  S5 (Secure)
G-rank:  G5 (Secure)

Sassafras albidum sassafras

Plant grows in the wild/spontaneouslyPlant is native to PA
Sassafras albidum gallery
Plant Life-Form
deciduous tree
Common Names
sassafras