Sassafras albidum: Carolina Sandhills NWR
I have not seen Sassafras in fruit in the Carolina Sandhills. In fact, I had no idea when it might fruit in the Sandhills but I had always assumed it would be a mid-summer event.
Sassafras is widely distributed in the Carolinas. I see the bright red fall foliage in the mountains at 4,000 feet, competing for the attention of leaf-peepers with superstars like sugar maple. And yet it does very well in the Carolina Sandhills when there is just a bit more moisture and slightly better soil.
So it was a treat to see a 5m small tree covered with clusters of these showy fruits.
I did not see a pattern of missing fruits that would suggest they were attracting birds.
Sassafras albidum: Carolina Sandhills NWR
I have not seen Sassafras in fruit in the Carolina Sandhills. In fact, I had no idea when it might fruit in the Sandhills but I had always assumed it would be a mid-summer event.
Sassafras is widely distributed in the Carolinas. I see the bright red fall foliage in the mountains at 4,000 feet, competing for the attention of leaf-peepers with superstars like sugar maple. And yet it does very well in the Carolina Sandhills when there is just a bit more moisture and slightly better soil.
So it was a treat to see a 5m small tree covered with clusters of these showy fruits.
I did not see a pattern of missing fruits that would suggest they were attracting birds.