Sassafras

Sassafras has been a regular on the blog. If you look closely, you will see all three leaf habits--lobeless, single-lobed like a mitten, and double-lobed.

These photos came between showers over the weekend; I think the wetness enhanced the colors a bit.

From The Writings of Henry David Thoreau:

Oct. 9, 1850. I am always exhilarated, as were the early voyagers, by the sight of sassafras, Lauras sassafras. The green leaves bruised have the fragrance of lemons and a thousand spices. To the same order belong cinnamon, cassia, camphor.

Thoreau, Henry David. The Writings of Henry David Thoreau, Volume 7. Boston, New York, 1892. 86. Web. Google Book Search. 5 Oct 2009.