1 8 Trees with Simple Leaves. [a i 



Genus SASSAFRAS, Nees. (Sassafras.) 



Fig. 3. — Sassafras. S. officinale, Nees. 



Leaves, simple; alternate; edge entire or lobed. 



Outline, when the edge is entire usually oval or egg- 

 shape ; when lobed usually broader and reverse egg- 

 shape. Base, pointed or wedge-shape. Apex of the 

 leaf or of the lobes rounded or slightly blunt-pointed. 



Leaf, variable in size, dark, thin, smooth ; rather shining 

 above ; the lobes, when present, two or three in 

 number and usually more or less bulging, with the 

 hollows always rounded. 



Flowers, greenish-yellow, in clusters. May, June. 



Fruit, oval, one-seeded, blue, with a reddish, club-shaped 

 stem ; pungent. 



Bark, obliquely and curiously furrowed and broken, gray 

 without, reddish within ; young twigs yellowish. 



Found, from Southwestern Vermont, southward and west- 

 ward. 



A tree fifteen to fifty feet high with light and soft 

 wood. All parts of the tree have a pleasant, spicy taste 

 and fragrance. From the bark of the roots a powerful 

 aromatic stimulant is obtained. 



Note. — See Alternate-leaved Dogwood, with its genus Section B, I., p. 136. 

 Note. — See Willow Oaks, with their genus. Section A. III. (a), pp. 126-128 



