Sweet Gum – Liquidambar styraciflua

Common Name: Sweet Gum

Botanical Name: Liquidambar styraciflua, lik-wid-AM-bar sty-ra-se-FLU-a

Decorative Life: 1-2 weeks.

Flower Color: Orange, Red, Yellow

Availability: Fall, Summer

• Member of the Hamamelidaceae (witch hazel family).
• Native from Connecticut to Florida, down to Central America.
• Three not so common and one common family members are Fothergilla, Loropetalum, Parrotia and witch hazel.

• Leaves are to 4 inches across, with 3-5 pointed lobes along woody branches.
• Branches are woody, often with corky wings, cut to various lengths.
• Plant is a deciduous tree, classed as a dicotyledon.
• Can produce resinous fragrance if leaves are crushed.

34-38F.

• From the Latin “liquidis” (liquid) and “ambar” (amber), referring to the yellow colored resin obtained from the bark.
• The fruits are decorative, pendulous, globe-shaped and spiny.
• The specific epithet name “styraciflua” means flowing with a gum called storax or styrax, important in medicine and perfumery.