Yellow sassafras, New South Wales sassafras
Doryphora sassafras

Family: Atherospermataceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows 20-30 m tall and spreads 5-10 m wide. The trunk is straight. The bark is grey and finely scaly. Young shoots are soft and silky. The leaves are simple. They are arranged opposite one another. The leaves are 7-10 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The leaves are dark green above and paler underneath. The leaves have coarse teeth around the edge. The leaves have a sarsaparilla like odour when crushed. Flowers are 2-3 cm across and white. They have silky hairs. The flowers are often in groups of 3. The fruit is 0.6-2 cm long and oval. They are brown and split on one side to expose the small fruit inside.

There are 2 Doryphora species. They grow in Australia.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate places. It grows naturally in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria in Australia. It grows in moist forest and rainforest. Plants grow well in cool mountainous regions. They need deep, well drained soil which is rich in humus. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, SE Asia, Tasmania

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Atherosperma sassafras A. Cunn. & A.DC.;