corruption of Saxafas, which is from Saxifrage
By origin, the word means «stone-breaking,» from its medicinal qualities. The true Sassafras ( S. officinale) is the only species ofthe genus. It is a North-American tree, about forty feet high,but the name has been given to various trees in many parts ofthe world, from the similarity, either of their appearance orof the real or supposed medicinal properties of their bark.
In Australia, the name is given to – – Atherosperma moschatum, Labill., N.0. Monimiaceae; called Native Sassafras,from the odour of its bark, due to an essential oilclosely resembling true Sassafras in odour. (Maiden.)
Beilschmiedia obtusifolia, Benth., N.0. Lauraceae; called Queensland Sassafras,a large and handsome tree.
Cryptocarya glaucescens, R. Br., N.0. Lauraceae;the Sassafras of the early days of New South Wales, andnow called Black Sassafras.
Daphnandra micrantha, Benth., N.0. Monimiaceae,called also Satinwood, and Light Yellow-wood.
Doryphora sassafras, Endl., N.0. Monimiaceae.
Grey Sassafras is the Moreton-Bay Laurel.
See laurel.
The New Zealand Sassafras is Laurelia novae-zelandiae.
1834. Ross, `Van Diemen's Land Annual,' p. 134:
«The leaves of these have been used as substitutes for tea inthe colony, as have also the leaves and bark of Cryptocaryaglaucescens, the Australian sassafras.»
1852. Mrs. Meredith, `My Home in Tasmania,' vol. ii. p. 166:
«The beautiful Tasmanian sassafras-tree is also a dweller insome parts of our fern-tree valleys. . . . The flowers arewhite and fragrant, the leaves large and bright green, and thebark has a most aromatic scent, besides being, in a decoction,an excellent tonic medicine. . . . The sawyers and otherbushmen familiar with the tree call it indiscriminately`saucifax,' `sarserfrax,' and `satisfaction.'»
1875. T. Laslett, `Timber and Timber Trees,' p. 206:
«A Tasmanian timber. Height, 40 ft.; dia., 14 in. Found onlow, marshy ground. Used for sashes and doorframes.»
1894. `Melbourne Museum Catalogue – – Economic Woods,' No. 36:
« Atherosperma moschatum, Victorian sassafras-tree, N.O. Monimiaceae.»