Native Trees of Kentucky 83 



LAUREL FAMILY Lauraceae, 



The Sassafras is the only 



J 



tree of this tropical family rep- 

 resented in Kentucky. The 

 name Sassafras, given to both 

 genus and species, is of Span- 

 ish origin. 



Sassafras Sassafras. 

 The Sassafras is common all 

 over the State, taking posses- 

 sion with the Persimmon of 

 cut-over woodlands. 



The orange-brown wood is 

 used locally for posts and fence 

 rails. The aromatic bark and 

 roots yield, by distillation, a 

 volatile oil used in perfumery 

 and for flavoring medicine. The variety of its leaf forms, bril- 

 liant autumnal coloring, and attractive dark blue berries make the 

 Sassafras a valuable ornamental tree. 



The green flowers are of two kinds, staminate and pistillate, 

 borne generally on separate trees ; they appear with the leaves. 

 Tree flat-topped, irregularly branched, often making dense 



thickets. 



Bark thick, rough, streaked, especially in young trees. 

 Leaves alternate, simple, oval, with three variations ; margins 

 entire; lobed on one side (mitten-shaped); lobed 

 on both sides. 



Fruit dark blue berries, raised on bright red, club-shaped 

 stems. 



