Doryphora sassafras

Location & distribution maps

Phylogeny & links to associated information:

Wikipedia links:       Angiosperms > Magnoliids  >   Laurales > Atherospermataceae > Doryphora sassafras

Other links:     

Plant  information

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:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doryphora_sassafras (2023)