Liquidambar formosana
Formosan Gum
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Hamamelidaceae
- Genus
- Liquidambar
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 12 m
- Spread
- 10 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- monoecious
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
The leaves are used in the treatment of cancerous growths[8]. The stem is anodyne, antiphlogistic, astringent, balsamic and haemostatic[5][8]. The resin from the stems is mixed with Rhamnus crenata fruits and used as a suppository for constipation[8]. The stem bark is used in the treatment of fluxes and skin diseases[8]. The fruits are antirheumatic, diuretic and galactogogue[4]. They are used in the treatment of arthritis, lumbago, oedema, oliguria, decreased milk production and skin diseases[4][8]. The root is used in the treatment of cancerous growths[8]. The resin from the stems is used to treat bleeding boils, carbuncles, toothache and tuberculosis[8].
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Antiphlogistic
- Product or use
- Antirheumatic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Balsamic
- Product or use
- Cancer
- Product or use
- Haemostatic
- Product or use
- Odontalgic
- Product or use
- Skin
Material uses
An aromatic resin is obtained from the trunk of this tree[11]. It forms in cavities of the bark and is harvested in autumn. It is used medicinally[5]. Wood. Used to make tea chests for higher grade teas[1][12][13].
- Product or use
- Resin
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Central and southern China from Taiwan to south-west Sichuan.
- Habitat
- A very wide range, especially in the warm temperate zones, growing in woodland and in open country[2]. Moist forests at elevations to 2500 metres in the south of its range[9].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Harvest the seed capsules at the end of October or November, dry in a warm place and extract the seed by shaking the capsule. Stored seed requires 1 - 3 months stratification and sometimes takes 2 years to germinate. Sow it as early in the year as possible. Germination rates are often poor. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame or greenhouse for their first winter. Since they resent root disturbance, it is best to plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer of their second year and give them some protection from cold for their first winter outdoors[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Suckers in early spring. Layering in October/November. Takes 12 months.
Cultivation
Prefers a moist but not swampy loam in a sunny sheltered position[1][7]. Succeeds in light shade[6]. Requires a deep fertile soil[7]. Prefers a neutral to acid soil, growing poorly on shallow soils overlying chalk[6]. Not all introductions of this species are hardy[3]. The Monticola group, which comes from western Hubei and north-eastern Sichuan, tolerates temperatures lower than -5°c[7][9]. Young plants are susceptible to frost damage and should be protected for their first few years[7]. This species resents root disturbance, young plants should be pot-grown and be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible[7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202