Science Photo of the Day
OK, another very interesting plant. This tree has three different kinds of leaves, and is very popular in Louisiana. What is it, and why is it special in Louisiana?
Great work! This is indeed a Sassafras Tree. It is well known for many culinary uses. It is a vital ingredient if you are going to make real file gumbo, which is why it is such a popular plant in Louisiana. It was used for making tea and for flavoring root beer, but was banned by the FDA in 1960, because it was thought to cause liver problems and possibly cancer. In 1994, the ban on Sassafras Tea was lifted.
Sassafras
In Pennsylvania where I grew up, people used to scrape the bark off the roots to make a tea in the winter. They used to say that it thinned your blood. People somehow believed that your blood got thick in the winter. Anyone have any ideas about thick winter blood? These days I buy sassafras tea bags from a company in Missouri.
In the spring people also made a look alike cooked 'spinach' out of a common weed called Shepard’s Purse to thin the blood. For my taste, it took a lot of vinegar to make it taste good.
Jesse, Winter Haven, FL
Interesting plant
This is a Sassafras plant and it can be used for many things like tea, medicia or just general land scape. It always has a spicy and interesting smell.
the Andrews
P.S. So how is it in switzerland?? How's the weather? Here even though its only October its snowing!!
Interesting Plant
It's Sassafras! You can make tea..... or if you're from Bayou Country.... file' for your Gumbo!
Karleen Mauldin
Conroe, TX
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