THE LONG HISTORY OF SASSAFRAS ALBIDUM
The Monday Garden, February 27, 2005, Issue 153
Eco-gardening at its best
THE LONG HISTORY OF SASSAFRAS ALBIDUM
At first glance, our native northern Sassafras (Sassafras albidum ) appears pretty much like any other rough-barked small tree or shrub. If you look closely, (Sassafras albidum) does have variably-shaped leaves that look like green suede in summer and that light the world with flame colors in autumn, and candelabra-like slender branches that look good all winter. Ever year or two, the female trees have a nice crop of pea-sized, bright blue berries on equally bright red stems. Then, of course, there are the fat green and red buds that sometimes look like onion domes before they bust into early season sprays of delicate yellow-green flowers.
picture: (Sassafras albidum) fall color, Morgan Street Stamford CT 2004
However, there’s so much to tell about this American native that two issues are required. This one covers the history of (Sassafras albidum) and another issue will cover botany, identification and culture. The story starts back when dinosaurs were running around loose.