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Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farmfarm in the fall
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Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm
Sassafras
sassafras

Sassafras albidum

Sassafras is a native plant of Maryland. It can be found growing along the fence lines along the gravel road leading down to Oxon Cove. Sassafras is easy to identify with three differently shaped leaves all growing on the same branch. One leaf is shaped like a catcher's mit, another is oval-shaped, and the third is like a three-pronged fork. Native peoples, African Americans, and the Europeans used this plant for a medicinal purposes to cure  many types of ailments.

cider press  

Did You Know?
The oldest fruit tree in the National Park Service can be found at Oxon Hill Farm. For centuries the making of cider from apples has been more than just pressing fruit to provide a delicious drink. Cider making was a social event for family and neighbors.

Last Updated: September 14, 2006 at 13:43 EST