316 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



24, 1900, leaves in bright autumnal coloration; October 28, leaves 

 nearly all shed, the trees bare. 



Interesting on account of the various leaf forms, three forms 

 being common on the same tree — oval without lobes, mitten-shaped 

 with a small lobe on one side, and with a small lobe on each side. 

 In Zechiel's woods opposite Busart's were some young sprouts with 

 immense, very broad leaves, these frequently bearing five lobes. 



In dry sandy soils the sassafras takes an autumn coloration 

 very early — sometimes in August — the coloration consisting of a 

 red spotting which finally spreads over the whole leaf. Between 

 the field fence and heavy forest in Walley's woods was a long patch 

 of sassafras, which, turning a beautiful red while the forest behind 

 it was still green, made an attractive sight for the distance of a 

 half-mile or more. In northern Indiana the sassafras is a rather 

 small tree, rarely exceeding a diameter of 9 to 12 inches ; farther 

 south it attains a considerably greater diameter. The stump 

 sprouts badly from the root, and it is difficult to keep down these 

 sprouts in new fields. This is most easily done by pasturing over 

 the places where the stumps are. 



The wood is very durable in contact with the soil, and is some- 

 times used for fence-posts. It splits and ignites easily, and there- 

 fore makes excellent kindling wood; some people believe a super- 

 stition regarding it which prevents their using it for fuel. 



There is a popular belief in some parts of the country that there 

 are two kinds of sassafras, the red and white, but we know of no 

 fact or variation upon which this distinction could be based. 



The sassafras exhibits considerable individuality in regard to 

 time of flowering, some trees blooming a week to ten days later 

 than others in the same neighborhood. 



361. SPICE-BUSH 



BENZOIN AESTIVALE (L.) Nees 



A well known shrub, once common in low rich woods throughout 

 the state, but disappearing as these are cleared up, drained or 

 pastured. At Lake Maxinkuckee it was found in Overmyer's 

 woods and on the east side of the lake. It was well out in flower 

 by April 30, 1901. 



The small yellow flowers, preceding the leaves make this shrub 

 somewhat attractive, and the spicy fragrance of the crushed 

 branches and leaves is agreeable. The red elliptical berries are 

 too few to make much show. The leaves turn to a beautiful golden 

 in autumn. 



