Taxonomy
Clade | angiosperm |
Family | Hamamelidaceae |
Genus | Liquidambar |
Species | styraciflua |
Common Name | American sweetgum, sweetgum |
iTree Code | LIST2 |
Plant Form
Form | Tree: large, pyramidal crown |
Height | 100 feet |
Spread | 60 feet |
Deciduous | Yes |
Identification Description
Foliage | green, star-shaped with 5-7 pointed lobes |
Leaf Type
|
Simple |
Bark | gray/brown, smooth developing deep furrows with rounded ridges |
Bud | green to red/purple, plump coming to a point with overlapping scales (imbricate) |
Bud Arrangement
|
Alternate |
Twig | moderately stout, red to yellow/brown, often with corky-wings, aromatic |
Flower | female: rounded, 2-beaked; male: upright, panicle; male and female on same tree (monoecious) |
Fruit | globe-shaped, composite of capsules, opening (dehiscent) into beak-like structure; hanging on 2-3" stem |
Fall Color | red, purple, yellow |
Site Characteristics
USDA Zones
|
pH Levels | Salt Tolerance |
Min | 5a |
Min | 4.5 |
Soil | Intolerant |
Max | 9b |
Max | 7.0 |
Spray | Intolerant |
Shade Tolerance | Drought Tolerance | Allelopathy |
Intolerant |
Low |
No |
Species Status
Nebraska Native |
|
U.S. Native |
|
Region of Origin | United States, Mexico |
More Information | Visit External Site |