This medium to large tree has an upright trunk with grey-brown fine scaly bark and has horizontal branches that form a small compact crown. It has glossy green toothed elliptical leaves and the white bell-shaped flowers appear in clusters during winter.

Hardiness zones 8 to 11

Doryphora sassafrasis naturally found in Australia from south-eastern Queensland to the coastal and tableland regions of New South Wales and extending to the Victorian Border. It grows from sea level to an altitude of 1,000m (3,000ft) in cool to warm temperate rainforests and occasionally in sub-tropical rainforests.

It grows in a range of soil types from deep sandy to gravelly loams that are moderately fertile, moist and well drained and tolerates a shaded to full sun protected position and is light frost tolerant when mature but drought tender.

Sassafras is grown for its habit and flowers. It is not commonly cultivated but is planted in parks and large gardens as a specimen for a rainforest setting or for gully plantings. It is suitable for coastal and adjoining tableland regions establishing in 3 to 5 years. The bark and leaves have a pleasant odour and the timber is pale yellow when cut. ID 2355

Doryphora(dor-ee-FOR-rah) sassafras(sas-A-fraz)

Atherospermataceae (ATH-er-oh-SPER-ma-TAY-see-ee)