These are healthy sassafras leaves. Photo courtesy Vern Wilkins, Indiana University, Bugwood.org Spicebush leaves are the setting for these different stages of spicebush swallowtail caterpillars. Spicebush, as well as sassafras, is a host plant for the swallowtail butterfly. Photo courtesy Ansel Oommen, Bugwood.org Two native species of trees, sassafras and spicebush, are at risk of an invasive fungal disease called laurel wilt. The disease has been detected on Long Island. It’s the first detection of the disease in New York State….
