Sassafrass leaves turning red

This week’s featured native shrubs is Sassafrass. Beyond having a wonderful name, this shrub is the host for Prometheus Silkmoth, Callosemia promethea, Imperial Moth, Eacles imperialis, Spicebush Swallowtail, Papillio troilus, and Tulip Tree Beauty, Epimecis hortaria, among others. The leaves have a lovely orange to red fall color. Sassafrass has been used as an orange dye, and has a long history of uses in cuisine, as both a tea and flavoring, as well as an herbal remedy. The small tree also provides bountiful blue-black berries for bird and wildlife forage. www.beechhollowfarms.com

#georgianativeplants #grownative #wildflowers #nativeplants #pollinatorgarden #plantconservation #habitat #butterflies #bees

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