The Collaborative International Dictionary
Sassafras \Sas"sa*fras\, n. [F. sassafras (cf. It. sassafrasso, sassafras, Sp. sasafras, salsafras, salsifrax, salsifragia, saxifragia), fr. L. saxifraga saxifrage. See Saxifrage.] (Bot.) An American tree of the Laurel family ( Sassafras officinale); also, the bark of the roots, which has an aromatic smell and taste.
Australian sassafras, a lofty tree ( Doryophora Sassafras) with aromatic bark and leaves.
Chilian sassafras, an aromatic tree ( Laurelia sempervirens).
New Zealand sassafras, a similar tree ( Laurelia Nov[ae] Zelandi[ae]).
Sassafras nut. See Pichurim bean.
Swamp sassafras, the sweet bay ( Magnolia glauca). See Magnolia.
Magnolia \Mag*no"li*a\, n. [NL. Named after Pierre Magnol, professor of botany at Montpellier, France, in the 17th century.] (Bot.) A genus of American and Asiatic trees, with aromatic bark and large sweet-scented whitish or reddish flowers.
Note: Magnolia grandiflora has coriaceous shining leaves and very fragrant blossoms. It is common from North Carolina to Florida and Texas, and is one of the most magnificent trees of the American forest. The sweet bay ( Magnolia glauca)is a small tree found sparingly as far north as Cape Ann. Other American species are Magnolia Umbrella, Magnolia macrophylla, Magnolia Fraseri, Magnolia acuminata, and Magnolia cordata. Magnolia conspicua and Magnolia purpurea are cultivated shrubs or trees from Eastern Asia. Magnolia Campbellii, of India, has rose-colored or crimson flowers.
Magnolia warbler (Zo["o]l.), a beautiful North American wood warbler ( Dendroica maculosa). The rump and under parts are bright yellow; the breast and belly are spotted with black; the under tail coverts are white; the crown is ash.