Doryphora sassafras
Sassafras
Sassafras
Wikipedia links: Angiosperms > Magnoliids > Laurales > Atherospermataceae > Doryphora sassafras
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Common name: Sassafras
Also Canary Sassafras, Yellow Sassafras, Golden Sassafras or Golden Deal
Conservation status: ...
Etymology:
Generic name is from the Ancient Greek dory- "spear" and pherein "to carry", and refers to the anthers in the flower
Its specific epithet is taken from its similar odour to the North American Laurel (Sassafras albidum)
Flowers:
White flowers which occur from May to July (in Autumn and Winter)
The small white flowers occur in groups of three on short axillary stalks
The flowering display can be showy with flowers massed on branches. contrasting against the darker foliage
Fruit:
Dark brown hairy fruit which are ripe from February to August
Leaves:
Oppositely arranged on the stem
The green leaves are elliptic to lanceolate or ovate, usually 7–10 cm long, 2–4 cm wide
Margins are shallowly to deeply toothed, glabrous and glossy, with a pleasant 'sassafras' scent when crushed
They have a prominent midrib and veins on the paler underside
Their most noteworthy feature is their lifespan; up to twelve years for each leaf
Stem & branches:
It is a straight-trunked tree generally with a small crown, its grey-brown trunk reaching a diameter of 1.2 m
Can grow to a height of 25–35 m
Roots:
Habit:
It is a tall tree with green foliage and contrasting white flowers
It is found in temperate rainforest on basalt soils at higher elevations and sedimentary soils at lower elevations
Commonly associated with Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum) and native crabapple (Schizomeria ovata)
Habitat:
A species of evergreen tree of subtropical and temperate rainforests
Distribution:
Native to eastern NSW and Queensland
From Nambour in southern Queensland through eastern NSW to Wolumla Peak in Yurammie State Forest
Additional notes:
Doryphora sassafras was first described by Austrian naturalist Stephan Endlicher in 1837
It is a member of the small family Atherospermataceae along with several other Australian rainforest trees including southern sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum)
Cultivation and uses
The yellowish soft timber is used in floors, turnery, and cabinet work
It is used in reforestation but generally grows too big to be used in home gardens
It has been thought to have potential as a potted specimen
It has been planted in Dublin area in Ireland
Sources of information: