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 recognized by the bright-green color and aromatic odor 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.