Doryphora sassafras, commonly known as sassafras, yellow sassafras, golden deal or golden sassafras,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the Southern Sassafras Family Atherospermataceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a shrub to tree with elliptic or egg-shaped leaves and contrasting white flowers which occur in autumn and winter.
Doryphora sassafras is a shrub or tree that typically grows to 2.5–36 m (8 ft 2 in – 118 ft 1 in).[2][3] Its leaves are arranged in opposite pairs,[4] elliptic to lanceolate or ovate, 30–110 mm (1.2–4.3 in) long and 15–40 mm (0.59–1.57 in) wide on a petiole 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 in) long.[2] The edges of the leaves are shallowly to deeply toothed, glabrous and glossy, and both surfaces have a prominent midvein.[2] All parts of the tree have a spicy smell,[5] but should be treated with "some caution", since the plant contains the poisonous alkaloid doryphorine.[6] Each individual leaf on a sassafras has a lifespan up to 12 years.[7]
The flowers are white with 6 tepals in 2 whorls mostly 7–13 mm (0.28–0.51 in) long and 2.5–4 mm (0.098–0.157 in) wide, the androecium with usually 4 whorls with 6 stamens and 14 to 18 staminodes, and there are 8 to 12 carpels. Flowering occurs from May to October and the achenes are 3.5–5 mm (0.14–0.20 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) in diameter.[2]
Taxonomy
Doryphora sassafras was first described in 1837 by Austrian naturalist Stephan Endlicher in 1837 in his Iconographia generum plantarum.[8][9] Its generic name is derived from the Ancient Greekdory- "spear" and pherein "to carry", and refers to the anthers in the flower, while its specific epithet is taken from its similar odour to the North American Laurel (Sassafras albidum).[10] It is a member of the small Southern Sasafrass family (Atherospermataceae) along with several other Australian and Patagonian rainforest trees including southern sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum).
Distribution and habitat
The distribution is from Nambour in southern Queensland through eastern New South Wales to Wolumla Peak in Yurammie State Forest. 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).[10]
Ecology
Male mosquitoes and crane flies are attracted to the flowers of sassafras, but although they are nectarivores, in their struggle to feed, they pollinate the flowers.[5]
Uses
Timber
The yellowish soft timber is used in floors, turnery, and cabinet work.[10]
Use in horticulture
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.[11] It has been planted in Dublin area in Ireland[12]
^ abcdeForeman, Donald B.; Whiffin, Trevor J. "Doryphora sassafras". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
^Fairley, A.; Moore, P. (2000). Native Plants of the Sydney District: An Identification Guide (2nd ed.). Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press. p. 53. ISBN0-7318-1031-7.
^ abRobinson, Les (1991). Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney. Kenthurst: Kangaroo Press. pp. 353–4. ISBN0-86417-192-7. OCLC26018462.
^Cribb, Alan B.; Cribb, Joan W. (1974). Wild Food in Australia. Sydney: Fontana. p. 174. ISBN0-00-634436-4. OCLC28991851.
^Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L.; Blake, Trevor (1989). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation. Vol. 3. Port Melbourne: Lothian Press. p. 331. ISBN0-85091-167-2. OCLC8298539.
