Pic Today 9/22/11

SASSAFRAS:

THE AUTUMN TREE OF COLOR & FLAVOR

The Missouri sassafras tree has an important place in history.

Its bark and roots have long been used by Indian tribes

in medicinal teas and salves; and its boiled roots

used by modern man as the original flavoring of root beer.

Sassafras leaves are the first to show fall colors in the woods,

and a sure sign that autumn weather is "around the corner."

Sassafras leaves are easy to identify with their "mitten" lobes,

which have one, two or three "fingers."

Rub green sassafras leaves between your fingers

and you smell the sweet fragrance of lemons.

There are still several brands of natural root beers

that use sassafras roots as their natural flavoring.