The _leaves_ are alternate on the stem, pear-shaped with pointed ends
and tapering bases, smooth and light green above, from 8 to 10 inches
long, clustered toward the ends of the branches.
The dark purple, attractive _flowers_ appear with the leaves singly or
in two's along the branch, measure nearly 2 inches across, and produce
nectar which attracts the bees.
When thoroughly ripe, the _fruit_ is delicious and nutritious. It
measures from 3 to 5 inches in length, turns from greenish-yellow to
very dark brown in color, and holds rounded or elongated seeds which
separate readily from the pulp.
The _wood_ is light, soft or spongy, and weak, greenish to yellowish in
color, and of no commercial importance.
Because of its handsome foliage, attractive flowers and curious fruit,
the papaw has been much used in ornamental planting.
+SASSAFRAS+ _Sassafras albidum_ Nees.
THE sassafras is an aromatic tree, usually not over 40 feet in height or
a foot in diameter in Illinois. It is common throughout the State on dry
soils as far north as La Salle County, and is one of the first
broad-leaf trees to come up on abandoned fields, where the seeds are
dropped by birds. Its range extends from Maine, southern Ontario to Iowa
and south to Florida and west to Texas. In parts of its range it attains
large size.
[Illustration: SASSAFRAS