Sassafras has unique leaves producing 4 different shapes. It grows from 30 feet (9.1meters) to 60 feet (18.2 meters)high in a pyramidal shape. Leaves are two lobed or 3 lobed, with the 2 lobed leaves looking like mittens. All four can be present on the same branch. Fruit of the tree is eaten by many species of birds. Sassafras produces safrole when the bark of the roots is distilled. The substance is licorice like and is used to make root beer both commercially and by home brewers. It was banned by the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) in1960 from use on the commercial scale as safrole was found to be carcinogenic. Safrole is also an ingredient in traditional Louisiana gumbo. It is used as a thickener known as file. The USDA ban was lifted in 1994, when used for making sassafras tea.

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