Identifying Characteristics
| Size/Form: | Sassafras is a medium-sized, deciduous shrubby tree that may grow 60 to 80 feet tall, with a cylindrical trunk and twisted branches. |
| Leaves: | The leaves are simple, alternately arranged and may be of three types, mitten-shaped, lobed, or obovate-elliptical. They are 4 to 6 inches long, yellowish-green and fuzzy, above and below, with distinctly sunken veins (rugose). The petioles are stout and have an obvious reddish color. Leaves have a citrus scent when crushed |
| Twigs: | Most notable of a sassafras twig is its spicy-sweet aroma when broken. |
| Bark: | Young twigs are yellowish-green and hairy. The older trees have bark that is thick, scaly, deeply furrowed, and cinnamon-brown colored. The inner bark is very aromatic. |
| Flowers: | The flowers of the sassafras are small yet quite showy and bright yellow-green in color. |
| Fruit: | The fruit is a dark blue drupe on a thick, reddish stalk. |
Similar Trees on the Florida 4-H Forest Ecology Contest List:
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