Sassafras randaiense
Sassafras randaiense
Safety & Hazards
The extracted essential oil (as is the case with most essential oils in common use) is poisonous in large quantities[1, 2]. The essential oil is comprised mainly of safrole, which is considered to be carcinogenic and potentially harmful to the liver[3]. It is also suspected of causing contact dermatitis and of being hallucinogenic, especially in large doses[4].
Cultivation Details
Sassafras randaiense is a relatively hardy tree when dormant, so long as the season's new growth has been properly ripened by summer heat. In regions with cool summers, the wood remains soft and is likely to be damaged by cold and wind in the winter[5]. Grows best in a warm, sheltered, sunny position in a deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil[5].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame[6]. Stored seed requires 4 months cold stratification at 4°c[7]. It is best sown as early in the year as possible. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as possible and grow them on in the greenhouse. One report says to harden off the plants as soon as possible[8], but young plants are frost-tender[5] and so we recommend growing them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and then planting them out in early summer. Give the young trees some protection for at least their first winter outdoors[PFAF]. Root cuttings, taken from suckers, 1 - 2cm long taken in December. Plant horizontally in pots in a greenhouse[8]. Suckers in late winter. Plant straight out into their permanent positions[6]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Sassafras+randaiense>
Pollinators
Insects
References
- [1]A Modern Herbal. — Grieve. · Penguin · 1984 · ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 ↩︎Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
- [2]The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. — Mills. S. Y. ↩︎An excellent small herbal.
- [3]Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas — Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J · Botanical Research Institute, Texas. · 1999 · http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm · ISBN 1-889878-01-4 ↩︎An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.
- [4]Flora of N. America — http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ ↩︎An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
- [5]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
- [6]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [7]The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. — Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. · Athens Ga. Varsity Press · 1987 · ISBN 0942375009 ↩︎A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
- [8]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
- [9]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
- [10]IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — http://www.iucnredlist.org/ ↩︎A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
- [11]Taiwan Sassafras [Sassafras randaiense (Hay.) Rehd.] — Wang P.J.; Hu C.Y.; Chen M.H. · 1991 · ISBN DOI: 10.1007/978- ↩︎
- [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎