Liriodendron tulipifera
Tulip Tree
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Liriodendron genus in the family Magnoliaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Magnoliaceae
- Genus
- Liriodendron
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 30 m
- Spread
- 12 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The root is used as a lemon-like flavouring in spruce beer, where it also serves to correct the bitterness of the beer[7]. The bark of the root and branches have a pleasant rather pungent scent[3].
- Product or use
- Condiment
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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The intensely acrid bitter inner bark, especially of the roots, is used domestically as a diuretic, tonic and stimulant[20][10]. The raw green bark is also chewed as an aphrodisiac[11][14]. The bark contains 'tulipiferine', which is said to exert powerful effects on the heart and nervous system[16][17][10]. A tea is used in the treatment of indigestion, dysentery, rheumatism, coughs, fevers etc[11][14]. Externally, the tea is used as a wash and a poultice on wounds and boils[14]. The root bark and the seeds have both been used to expel worms from the body[10][14].
- Product or use
- Anthelmintic
- Product or use
- Aphrodisiac
- Product or use
- Cardiac
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Nervine
- Product or use
- Poultice
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A gold-coloured dye is obtained from the bark[2]. Wood - fine grained, soft, light, easily worked, durable, brittle, not strong but does not split. A valuable timber, it weighs 26lb per cubic foot and is much used for interior finishes, furniture, construction and plywood[3][16][17][5][12][13].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy
Environment
- Range
- Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Florida.
- Habitat
- Deep rich rather moist soils on mountain slopes and by streams[20].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady place in a cold frame[19][4][8]. Stored seed requires 3 weeks warm then 12 weeks cold stratification[19][4]. Germination is usually poor, only about 1% of the seed is viable[19]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[18]. Layering in spring. Do not sever from the parent plant for 2 years[8].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a deep rich soil[3][15][8] and a sheltered but not overshadowed position[1]. Prefers a slightly acid soil[6]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[6]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is fast-growing and moderately long-lived in its native range[12]. Flowers are first produced when the tree is about 15 - 20 years old[12]. Intolerant of root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots and placed into their final positions as soon as possible. Any transplanting is best done in May[3]. Trees flower best in regions with long hot summers[8]. Plants are particularly susceptible to attacks by rabbits and hares[8]. The flowers produce considerable nectar, making this a good bee plant[9][12]. Cultivated for its wood in Europe50].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-090-x
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622
Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
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
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6
Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X