Scientific Name
Sassafras albidum
Common Name
Sassafras

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Lauraceae
Plant Description
Deciduous tree; leaves alternate, simple, smooth-margined, either unlobed or 2-3-4-lobed; flowers in axillary clusters, yellowish, 6-parted; fruit a blue-black drupe on a reddish stalk.
Origin
USA, NC
Distribution
Throughout.
Where Found
Forest or natural area in thin woods, along fence rows, edge of woods, old fields; landscape as ornamental small tree.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Bark.
Symptoms
A weak carcinogen in experimental animals.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Tea made from young roots. Sweeten to taste. Only moderate amounts should be drunk. A spicy jelly can be made from strong tea with lemon joice, sugar and pectin. Green winter buds and young leaves can be added to salads. SOURCE: Angier, B. 1974. Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa, 255 pp.
Toxic Principle
Safrole.
Severity
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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