sassafras

sassafras

1. an aromatic deciduous lauraceous tree, Sassafras albidum, of North America, having three-lobed leaves and dark blue fruits

2. the aromatic dried root bark of this tree, used as a flavouring, and yielding sassafras oil

3. Austral any of several unrelated trees having a similar fragrant bark

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

sassafras

sassafras

Tree grows to 100ft (30m). The entire plant is edible. Eat the leaves., use roots for tea. This is one of the three ingredients in the original root beer recipe- sarsaparilla, sassafras and birch. Another way is to boil the roots, combine with molasses and allow to ferment. Voila- root beer. The tree is used for purifying the blood, stomach aches, rheumatism, skin problems, colds, fever, kidney, liver, problems, arthritis. The trees have many slender branches, and smooth, orangebrown bark. The bark of a full grown tree is thick, red-brown, and deeply furrowed. All parts of the plants are very fragrant when crushed. 3 different types of leaves on the same plant, oval, 2-lobe (mitten) and 3-lobed. Young leaves and twigs are best for consuming. Great on salads. They give a citrus-like scent when crushed. Delicious 5-petal tiny yellow flowers in clusters. Leaves can be dried and powdered and added to soups and gumbos. Fruit is blue-black eggshaped berry sized on a reddish cup/stem. Roots and leaves can be eaten raw or powdered or steamed. The root makes a good tea that tastes like root beer. Antiseptic, diuretic, vasodilator. Used to thin blood, cleanse liver, ease menstrual pain. Do not take for extended long periods or liver damage can occur because it contains safrole. Do not consume if pregnant or taking blood thinner.

Edible Plant Guide © 2012 Markus Rothkranz

sassafras

[′sas·ə‚fras]

(botany)

Sassafras albidum. A medium-sized tree of the order Magnoliales recognized by the bright-green color and aromatic odor of the leaves and twigs.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Sassafras

 

a genus of deciduous trees and shrubs of the family Lauraceae. The leaves are entire, pinnate, or twice- to seven-times-lobed. The small, yellow-green flowers are in an axillary dichasium. The fruit is drupe. There are three species, distributed along the eastern seaboard of North America, in continental regions of China, and on Taiwan.

The common sassafras (S. albidum, or S. officinale), an aromatic dioecious tree reaching 20 m tall, is distributed in North America. It propagates by seeds and root suckers. The plant has been introduced into European gardens and parks; in the USSR it is found in Sukhumi. The essential oil contained throughout the plant, but mainly in the cortex of the roots, is used in perfumery. The soft, lightweight wood is used in the production of furniture, small boats, barrels, and railroad ties.

REFERENCE

Derev’ia i kustarniki SSSR, vol. 3. Moscow-Leningrad, 1954.

The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.