Sassafras
(from Sassafras, the Spanish word for Saxifrage, like virtues to which plant it was supposed to possess). ORD. Laurineae. A monotypic genus. The species is an ornamental, hardy, deciduous tree, with spicy-aromatic bark, and very mucilaginous twigs and foliage. In Virginia, a kind of beer is manufactured from the young shoots; other parts of the tree are of economical value, the oil extracted from the fruits being used by perfumers. The tree is frequently grown in this country; it is remarkable for the variety it exhibits in the shape and size of its leaves. For culture, &c., see Laurus. S. officinale (officinal). Sassafras-tree. fl. greenish-yellow, shortly and loosely racemose; perianth tube very short, the limb segments six (sometimes variously abnormal); bracts small, narrow; racemes nearly umbelliform, shortly pedunculate. April. l. alternate, membranous, penniveined, ovate, entire, or some of them three-lobed, soon glabrous. h. 15ft. to 30ft. Eastern United States, 1633. (B. M. Pl. 220; T. S. M. 360.) SYN. Laurus Sassafras.