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Sassafras albidum

(Nutt.) Nees

Sassafras

G5Secure Found in 119 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
UnknownThreat Impact
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum). Photo by M. Whitson, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
M. Whitson, CC BY 4.0
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum). Photo by M. Whitson, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
M. Whitson, CC BY 4.0
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum). Photo by M. Whitson, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
M. Whitson, CC BY 4.0
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum). Photo by Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum). Photo by Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.130071
Element CodePDLAU0C010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderLaurales
FamilyLauraceae
GenusSassafras
Other Common Names
sassafras (EN) Sassafras officinal (FR)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-09-11
Change Date1983-11-03
Edition Date2024-09-11
Edition AuthorsJohnson, J. (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Sassafras albidum is widespread in eastern North America, occurring from southwest Maine and southern Ontario south to central Florida, west to eastern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, and southeast Kansas. In at least the southeastern portion of its range, may be threatened by Red bay or Laurel wilt disease, a fungal disease transmitted by an introduced ambrosia beetle which is causing widespread mortality of red bay (Persea borbonia) trees in coastal SC, GA, and FL and is spreading rapidly. This disease has been documented in Sassafras albidum, but potential effects on S. albidum specifically are unknown at this time. With a large range extent, more than 1000 occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent Comments
Sassafras albidum is found widely in the eastern United States and southern Ontario, Canada. Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records documented between 1993 and 2024, it is estimated that there are more than 1000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact Comments
Red bay or Laurel wilt disease, a fungal disease transmitted by an introduced ambrosia beetle, has been documented in this species (Johnson et al. 2007). This disease is causing widespread mortality of red bay (Persea borbonia) trees in coastal South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida and is spreading rapidly. Potential effects on Sassafras albidum specifically are unknown at this time.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Sassafras albidum grows in various habitats including forests, woodlands, fencerows, old fields (sometimes aggressively colonial), and disturbed areas (FNA 1997).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandOld fieldCropland/hedgerow
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
New JerseyS5Yes
MissouriSNRYes
VirginiaS5Yes
LouisianaSNRYes
IowaSUYes
VermontS3Yes
DelawareS5Yes
MassachusettsSNRYes
KentuckyS5Yes
MarylandSNRYes
OklahomaSNRYes
FloridaS4Yes
New YorkS5Yes
OhioSNRYes
West VirginiaS5Yes
IllinoisS4Yes
Rhode IslandSNRYes
IndianaSNRYes
New HampshireSNRYes
South CarolinaS5Yes
ArkansasSNRYes
North CarolinaS5Yes
PennsylvaniaS5Yes
District of ColumbiaSNRYes
AlabamaSNRYes
MaineS2Yes
MichiganSNRYes
TennesseeSNRYes
GeorgiaSNRYes
MississippiSNRYes
TexasSNRYes
KansasS2Yes
ConnecticutSNRYes
CanadaN4
ProvinceRankNative
OntarioS4Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesSmall (1-10%)UnknownUnknown
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseasesSmall (1-10%)UnknownUnknown
8.1.2 - Named speciesSmall (1-10%)UnknownUnknown

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Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (119)
Alabama (3)
AreaForestAcres
Blue MountainTalladega National Forest4,986
Cheaha ATalladega National Forest236
Cheaha BTalladega National Forest741
Arkansas (7)
AreaForestAcres
Bear MountainOuachita National Forest1,910
Clifty CanyonOzark-St. Francis National Forest1,963
Dismal CreekOzark-St. Francis National Forest9,160
East ForkOzark-St. Francis National Forest13,037
Gee CreekOzark-St. Francis National Forest7,957
Pedestal RocksOzark-St. Francis National Forest21,957
Richland CreekOzark-St. Francis National Forest571
Georgia (8)
AreaForestAcres
Indian Grave GapChattahoochee National Forest1,020
Joe GapChattahoochee National Forest5,321
Kelly RidgeChattahoochee National Forest8,325
Lance CreekChattahoochee National Forest9,025
Miller CreekChattahoochee National Forest701
Pink KnobChattahoochee National Forest12,127
Rocky MountainChattahoochee National Forest4,269
Sarah's CreekChattahoochee National Forest6,888
Idaho (1)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekCaribou-Targhee National Forest118,582
Illinois (1)
AreaForestAcres
Ripple HollowShawnee National Forest3,788
Indiana (1)
AreaForestAcres
Mogan RidgeHoosier National Forest8,435
Kentucky (1)
AreaForestAcres
WolfpenDaniel Boone National Forest2,835
Louisiana (1)
AreaForestAcres
Saline Bayou W & S River CorridorKisatchie National Forest5,355
Missouri (1)
AreaForestAcres
Swan Creek Rare II Study AreaMark Twain National Forest7,310
North Carolina (26)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainPisgah National Forest11,085
Balsam ConePisgah National Forest10,591
BearwallowPisgah National Forest4,113
Big Indian (addition)Nantahala National Forest1,155
Catfish Lake NorthCroatan National Forest11,299
Cheoah BaldNantahala National Forest7,795
Cherry Cove (addition)Nantahala National Forest836
Chunky Gal (addition)Nantahala National Forest3,336
Craggy MountainPisgah National Forest2,657
Dobson KnobPisgah National Forest6,111
Graveyard Ridge (addition)Pisgah National Forest1,958
Harper CreekPisgah National Forest7,325
Jarrett CreekPisgah National Forest7,485
Laurel MountainPisgah National Forest5,683
Linville Gorge AdditionPisgah National Forest2,809
Little Indian (addition)Nantahala National Forest640
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Mackey MountainPisgah National Forest5,934
Middle Prong AdditionPisgah National Forest1,852
Overflow CreekNantahala National Forest3,379
Pond Pine BCroatan National Forest2,961
South Mills RiverPisgah National Forest8,588
Tusquitee BaldNantahala National Forest13,670
Wesser BaldNantahala National Forest4,061
Wilson CreekPisgah National Forest4,863
Woods MountainPisgah National Forest9,602
Oklahoma (1)
AreaForestAcres
Beech CreekOuachita National Forest8,303
Pennsylvania (2)
AreaForestAcres
Allegheny FrontAllegheny National Forest7,430
Tracy RidgeAllegheny National Forest9,034
South Carolina (2)
AreaForestAcres
Big MountainSumter National Forest2,337
Ellicott Rock 2Sumter National Forest517
Tennessee (12)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainCherokee National Forest11,743
Bald River Gorge AdditionCherokee National Forest1,728
Beaver Dam CreekCherokee National Forest5,070
Brushy RidgeCherokee National Forest7,469
Devil's BackboneCherokee National Forest4,287
Flint Mill GapCherokee National Forest9,494
Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Add.Cherokee National Forest1,396
Little Frog Addition NECherokee National Forest321
Rogers RidgeCherokee National Forest4,738
Slide HollowCherokee National Forest4,057
Stone MountainCherokee National Forest5,367
Upper Bald RiverCherokee National Forest9,202
Texas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Little Lake CreekNational Forests in Texas596
Virginia (39)
AreaForestAcres
Adams PeakGeorge Washington National Forest7,135
Bear CreekJefferson National Forest18,274
Beards MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,505
Beartown Addition BJefferson National Forest2,985
Beaver Dam CreekJefferson National Forest1,135
Broad RunJefferson National Forest10,971
Brush MountainJefferson National Forest6,002
Brushy MountainJefferson National Forest4,168
Crawford MountainGeorge Washington National Forest9,892
Elliott KnobGeorge Washington National Forest9,380
Garden MountainJefferson National Forest3,960
Gum RunGeorge Washington National Forest12,620
Hoop HoleJefferson National Forest4,652
Horse HeavenJefferson National Forest4,748
Hunting Camp Little Wolf CreekJefferson National Forest8,953
JerkemtightGeorge Washington National Forest16,687
Kelley MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,590
Little Dry Run AdditionJefferson National Forest2,204
Little RiverGeorge Washington National Forest27,292
Mill MountainGeorge Washington National Forest10,840
Mountain Lake Addition AJefferson National Forest1,469
Mountain Lake Addition CJefferson National Forest494
Mt. PleasantGeorge Washington National Forest8,933
New London Bridge BranchJefferson National Forest844
North MountainJefferson National Forest8,377
Northern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest9,444
Oak KnobGeorge Washington National Forest10,882
Oliver MountainGeorge Washington National Forest13,090
Patterson MountainJefferson National Forest4,865
Peters Mountain Addition BJefferson National Forest2,909
Price MountainJefferson National Forest9,119
Ramseys Draft AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest12,781
Saint Marys AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest1,454
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
SkidmoreGeorge Washington National Forest5,641
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
The PriestGeorge Washington National Forest5,737
Three RidgesGeorge Washington National Forest4,745
Three SistersGeorge Washington National Forest8,149
West Virginia (12)
AreaForestAcres
Canaan LoopMonongahela National Forest7,867
Cranberry AdditionMonongahela National Forest11,123
Dolly Sods Roaring PlainMonongahela National Forest13,392
Dry River (WV)George Washington National Forest7,331
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Glady ForkMonongahela National Forest3,239
Little Allegheny MountainMonongahela National Forest10,514
Little MountainMonongahela National Forest8,172
Mcgowan MountainMonongahela National Forest10,504
Middle MountainMonongahela National Forest19,020
North Mountain HopevilleMonongahela National Forest6,525
Seneca CreekMonongahela National Forest22,287
References (9)
  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 1997. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 3. Magnoliophyta: Magnoliidae and Hamamelidae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiii + 590 pp.
  2. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2024. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2024).
  3. Guenther, E. 1948-1952. The essential oils. Volume (3-6). Van Nostrand. Princeton, N.J.
  4. iNaturalist. 2024. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2024).
  5. Johnson, J., L. Reid, B. Mayfield, D. Duerr, and S. Fraedrich. 2007. New disease epidemic threatens redbay and other related species. Georgia Forestry Commision, South Carolina Forestry Commission, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Forestry, and USDA Forest Service. Online. Availablie: http://www.state.sc.us/forest/idwilt.pdf (Accessed 2008)
  6. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  7. Little, E.L., Jr. 1979. Checklist of United States trees (native and naturalized). Agriculture Handbook No. 541. U.S. Forest Service, Washington, D.C. 375 pp.
  8. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2024. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2024).
  9. Weakley, A.S., and Southeastern Flora Team. 2024. Flora of the southeastern United States. Edition of March 4, 2024. University of North Carolina Herbarium (NCU), North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 2203 pp.