National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farmvisitors walking past sheep pasture
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
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.

OXCO 1891  

Did You Know?
In 1891, Saint Elizabeths Hospital, acquired the Oxon Cove Park Property, to establish a farm where patients, removed from the confines of a hospital setting, could benefit from fresh air and outdoor work at this new "farm colony." This hospital farm was called Godding Croft.

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