Golden sassafras facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Golden sassafras |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Doryphora
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sassafras
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The Doryphora sassafras, often called sassafras, yellow sassafras, canary sassafras, or golden sassafras, is a type of evergreen tree. It belongs to the Atherospermataceae family. This tree grows naturally in the subtropical and temperate rainforests of eastern New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. It is a tall tree with green leaves and pretty white flowers that appear in autumn and winter.
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About the Sassafras Tree
The Doryphora sassafras was first officially described by an Austrian scientist named Stephan Endlicher in 1837.
The name Doryphora comes from Ancient Greek words. Dory- means "spear" and pherein means "to carry." This refers to the spear-like parts inside the flower called anthers. The second part of its name, sassafras, was chosen because the tree smells similar to the North American Laurel tree, Sassafras albidum.
This tree is part of a small plant family called Atherospermataceae. Other Australian rainforest trees, like the southern sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum), are also in this family. People often call this tree by many names, such as Canary Sassafras, Yellow Sassafras, Golden Sassafras, Golden Deal, or just Sassafras.
What the Sassafras Tree Looks Like
The Doryphora sassafras can grow very tall, reaching heights of 25 to 35 meters (about 80 to 110 feet). It usually has a straight trunk with a small crown of leaves at the top. Its grey-brown trunk can grow up to 1.2 meters (about 4 feet) wide.
The leaves are green and grow in pairs on the stem. They are usually oval or spear-shaped, about 7–10 cm (3–4 inches) long and 2–4 cm wide. Their edges are slightly or deeply toothed. The leaves are smooth and shiny, and they have a nice "sassafras" smell when you crush them. You can see a clear main vein and other veins on the lighter underside of the leaves.
Small white flowers grow in groups of three on short stems. These flowers appear from May to July, which is during autumn and winter in Australia. After the flowers, dark brown, hairy fruits grow. These fruits are ready from February to August. When the tree flowers, it can be quite beautiful, with many white flowers standing out against the dark green leaves.
Where the Sassafras Tree Grows
The Doryphora sassafras tree grows from Nambour in southern Queensland, all the way through eastern New South Wales, down to Wolumla Peak in Yurammie State Forest.
You can find it in temperate rainforests. It prefers basalt soils in higher places and sedimentary soils in lower areas. It often grows alongside other trees like Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum) and native crabapple (Schizomeria ovata).
Uses of the Sassafras Tree
The wood of the Doryphora sassafras is yellowish and soft. It is used to make floors, for turning wood on a lathe, and in furniture making.
This tree is also used in projects to replant forests. However, it usually grows too big to be a good choice for small home gardens. Some people think it could be grown in pots when it's young. It has even been planted in the Dublin area of Ireland.
Gallery
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Sassafras flowers and leaves, St Ives North, Australia
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A close-up of a sassafras leaf
See also
In Spanish: Doryphora sassafras para niños
