Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is in the laurels family (Lauraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,222 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Sassafras: observations by month (U.S.)
About Sassafras
Sassafras albidum (sassafras, white sassafras, red sassafras, or silky sassafras) is a species of Sassafras native to eastern North America, from southern Maine and southern Ontario west to Iowa, and south to central Florida and eastern Texas. It occurs throughout the eastern deciduous forest habitat type, at altitudes of sea level up to 1,500 m (5000 feet). It formerly also occurred in southern Wisconsin, but is extirpated there as a native tree.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Sassafras by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 205 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Virginia | 142 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Pennsylvania | 106 | April | Apr–May |
| North Carolina | 94 | April | Apr–Apr |
| New York | 83 | April | Apr–May |
| Maryland | 66 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Massachusetts | 66 | May | May–May |
| New Jersey | 56 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Indiana | 45 | April | Apr–May |
| Texas | 39 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Ohio | 36 | April | Apr–May |
| Alabama | 33 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Mississippi | 30 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Connecticut | 29 | April | Apr–May |
| Tennessee | 28 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Kentucky | 25 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Arkansas | 23 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Illinois | 19 | April | Apr–May |
| Georgia | 17 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Louisiana | 15 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Michigan | 14 | May | Apr–May |
| South Carolina | 12 | March | Feb–Apr |
| West Virginia | 12 | April | Apr–Apr |
| District of Columbia | 8 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Delaware | 6 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Rhode Island | 6 | April | Apr–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (laurels)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Sassafras?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from April to April.
Where is Sassafras most often seen?
The most observations come from Missouri, Virginia, Pennsylvania.