The wood is weak. Shade tree. Semi-evergreen with leaves falling just before new leaves emerge. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Acorns can be a maintenance problem. , Wildlife, Provides cover for and nesting areas for birds and squirrels The acorns are used by squirrels, turkeys, and deer . , Habitat, Floodplains, seep slopes, mesic secondary woods. May invade flatwoods if there is fire exclusion. , Did You Know?, Larval host plant for Horace's dusky wing (Erynnis horactius), red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) and white-M hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) b

This species is listed as invasive in Australia. Foundation plantings, small speciment plants. Of year-round interest since it has both blooms and fr , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, This plant grows naturally is protected woodland locations. Its weak wood can break easily if exposed to wind or physical disturbance. , Wildlife, Seeds eaten by birds , Habitat, Woods. Moist and well-drained sand, loam, clay, or calcareous soils. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Showy fruits Insect pollinated.

Specimen shrub.  Thorniness makes it a good property edge hedge. , Tolerance, Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges. Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure t , Considertions, Spiny , Wildlife, Birds eat the fruits (and the red&black arils). , Habitat, Dry coastal hammocks and shell mounds. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Thorns Larval host  for cassius blue (Leptotes cassius theonus), large orange sulphur (Phoebis agarithe), and Miami blue (Cyclargus th

Red/orange fall color is excellent. Leaves have three separate shapes: ovoid, tri-lobed, or mitten-shaped (left or right). Mature trees tend to have f , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Like other members of this family, sassafras trees are threatened by the spread of the redbay ambrosia beetle and the laural wilt fungus it carries. M , Wildlife, Birds consume fruit. , Habitat, Dry sites. Dry mesic forests. , Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Fall color, Interesting foliage Larval food for spicebush butterfly(Papilio troilus), tiger swallow-tail(papilio glaucus), palamede

Shade tree. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Wildlife, Fruits are used by birds. , Habitat, Hammocks. , Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Showy flowers, Hurricane wind resistance Attracts a variety of insect pollinators.

Citrus County specimen does not come up in the FLAS database search, so the County is not included on our map. Specimen plant in moist shade gardens. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Habitat, Hammocks. Epiphytic on trees, and also occurs on fallen logs and on rocks. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage

The tuber of this plant is edible and very crisp; it adds texture to salads.  The tuber has a segmented appearance reminiscent of a rattlesnake tail. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Quite aggressive in the landscape and difficult to get rid of because of its deep tubers. , Habitat, Moist-wet disturbed sites. Flatwoods. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Attracts bees and butterflies.

Groundcover in moist areas. Can be mowed. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Often considered a pest in over-watered lawns. If the lawn is replaced by the "pest" the effect can be attractive. , Habitat, Cutthroat seep, wet prairie, dome swamp. Somestimes in floating mats. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage Attracts bees.  A study at the Archbold Biological Station identified the following families of bees using this species: Halictid