Family Index

Scientific Name

Atherosperma moschatum

Family Name

MONIMIACEAE

Common Name

Sassafras

Status

Height

45.0m (4500cm)

Flowers

White, male with 12 short, thick stamens; female, less showy with hairy carpels in centre.

Fruit

Form

Conical tree with spreading, rather drooping branches.

Municipalities

Communities

Rainforest; Wet Eucalypt Forest

Habitat Notes

A rainforest tree found also in the understorey of some tall eucalypt forests. Occurs from sea level to the alpine zone where it is an infrequent shrub. Also occupies gullies in drier areas in the east.

Site Tolerance

Moist; Shady

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Well-drained

General Notes

Not suitable below powerlines.

Propagation Details

Propagation Calendar

Flowering Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Collecting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sowing Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cutting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Fruit, dry, a blackish woody knob with feathery styles protruding and gradually decaying.. ripe seed is shed over several months. it has low viability due to a dormancy which occurs soon after seed fall

Seed Treatment Method

Standard

Seed Storage Life

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

Seed should be sown very soon after collection or after several months storage.

Germination Time

2-3 months

Suitable for Direct Seeding

Cuttings

Expected Time to Take Root

Expected Time to Plant Out

Propagation by Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.

Cutting Notes

Easily propagated from cuttings.