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Liquidambar styraciflua
  • Sweet Gum

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Liquidambar genus in the family Hamamelidaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral
    Acid to Neutral
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Liquidambar styraciflua has 0 edible uses listed
Liquidambar styraciflua has 0 material uses listed
Liquidambar styraciflua has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

A chewing gum and a stabilizer for cakes etc is obtained from the resin[1][2][3][4]. It can also be chewed to sweeten the breath[5].

Unknown part

Gum

Material uses

The aromatic resin 'Storax' is obtained from the trunk of this tree[6][7][8][9]. It forms in cavities of the bark and also exudes naturally. It is harvested in autumn[10][11]. Production can be stimulated by beating the trunk in the spring[12][11]. The resin has a wide range of uses including medicinal, incense, perfumery, soap and as an adhesive[3]. It is also chewed and used as a tooth cleaner[5]. Wood - heavy, fairly hard, fine-grained, not strong, light, tough, resilient. It weighs about 37lb per cubic foot[13]. The wood takes a high polish and can be stained then used as a cherry, mahogany or walnut substitute[12]. It is also used for furniture, flooring, fruit dishes, veneer etc[6][8][14][3][13].

Unknown part

Adhesive
Incense
Resin
Dental care
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A resin obtained from the trunk of the tree (see 'Uses notes' below) is antiseptic, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, parasiticide, poultice, salve, sedative, stimulant, vulnerary[15][6][7][8][3][12][16][17][18][11]. It is chewed in the treatment of sore throats, coughs, asthma, cystitis, dysentery etc[18][11][19]. Externally, it is applied to sores, wounds, piles, ringworm, scabies etc[18][11].

The resin is an ingredient of 'Friar's Balsam', a commercial preparation based on Styrax benzoin that is used to treat colds and skin problems[11].

The mildly astringent inner bark is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and childhood cholera[18].

Unknown part

Antiseptic
Astringent
Carminative
Diuretic
Expectorant
Parasiticide
Poultice
Salve
Sedative
Stimulant
Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Liquidambar styraciflua. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a moist but not swampy loam in a sunny sheltered position[20][21]. Succeeds in light shade[22]. Prefers a neutral to acid soil[23]. Plants grow poorly in shallow soils overlying chalk[22].

Young plants are susceptible to damage from late frosts. A highly ornamental plant, especially in its autumn foliage[24][13], it grows well in Cornwall[25] and S. England but does not do well in the north[26]. A fast-growing and long lived tree, it is fairly free from pests and diseases and has the potential to be a re-afforestation tree in cutover lands[13]. Trees commence flowering when about 20 - 25 years old[27]. The leaves emit a balsam-like fragrance when they fall in the autumn, this is retained until the leaves are quite withered[28]. Plants in the north of their range do not produce much resin[5]. Resists honey fungus[29].

This species resents root disturbance, young plants should be pot-grown and be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible[21].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Liquidambar styraciflua. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Liquidambar styraciflua.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Liquidambar styraciflua
Genus
Liquidambar
Family
Hamamelidaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
[15][6][7][8][3][12][16][17][18][11][19]
Material uses & Functions
[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][3][5][13][14]
Botanic
[20][30][21]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    25 x 15 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious

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    "image:Liquidambar styraciflua leaves sjh.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Liquidambar styraciflua leaves sjh.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


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    "image:Liquidambar styraciflua leaves sjh.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books ISBN 0-394-72811-4 (1979-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.6 Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press ISBN 0-292-78958-3 (1987-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press ISBN 0-253-28925-4 (1977-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber ()
    10. ? 10.010.1 Pesman. M. W. Meet Flora Mexicana. Dale S. King. Arizona. (1962-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.511.611.7 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.4 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.4 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.218.318.4 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    20. ? 20.020.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    21. ? 21.021.121.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    22. ? 22.022.1 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    23. ? ? The Plantsman. Vol. 4. 1982 - 1983. Royal Horticultural Society (1982-00-00)
    24. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    25. ? Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall. ()
    26. ? Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. ()
    27. ? Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
    28. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    29. ? RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society (1987-00-00)
    30. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Liquidambar_styraciflua&oldid=78352"
    Facts about "Liquidambar styraciflua"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyHamamelidaceae +
    Belongs to genusLiquidambar +
    Has common nameSweet Gum +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useGum +
    Has fertility typeBee +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageLiquidambar styraciflua leaves sjh.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useAdhesive +, Incense +, Resin +, Dental care + and Wood +
    Has mature height25 +
    Has mature width15 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiseptic +, Astringent +, Carminative +, Diuretic +, Expectorant +, Parasiticide +, Poultice +, Salve +, Sedative +, Stimulant + and Vulnerary +
    Has primary imageLiquidambar styraciflua leaves sjh.JPG +
    Has search nameliquidambar styraciflua + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameLiquidambar styraciflua +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +