A medium-sized tree, Sassafras albidum, of the eastern United States, extending north as far as southern Maine. Sometimes it is only a shrub in the north, but from Pennsylvania southward heights of 90 ft (27 m) or more with diameters of 4–7 ft (1.2–2.1 m) have been reported for this plant. Sassafras is said to live from 700 to 1000 years. It can be recognised by the bright-green colour and aromatic odour of the twigs and leaves. The leaves are simple or mitten-shaped (hence a common name "mitten-tree"), or they may have lobes on both sides of the leaf blade (see illus.). The wood is soft, brittle, coarse-grained and somewhat aromatic, and the heartwood is reddish. Because it is durable in contact with moisture, it has been used for fence posts, rail fences, sills for houses, and boats. The aromatic substance, found especially in the roots, is a volatile oil (oil of sassafras) used medicinally as a stimulant and a diaphoretic, and also as a flavouring agent.