Sweet-gum

Liquidambar styraciflua
SWEET-GUM
Hamamelidaceae
North America

Location: map coordinates T-7 (south side of parking lot #6),
N 39°11'7'' W 75°32'47''

Planting history: presently unknown.

deciduous tree
etymology: Liquidambar from liquidus (liquid) and ambar (amber), referring to its sap; styraciflua means flowing with styrax (storax), an aromatic resin (balsalm) used in medicine and perfumes
the common name is “sweet-gum” because the hardened sap was formerly used as chewing gum
leaves star-shaped, 5-7 lobed; fragrant when crushed; autumn foliage colorful
monoecious (separate male and female flowers on same tree); flowers small, clustered in round hanging balls (either male or female)
fruits round, woody, spiky, “gum balls”; small seeds eaten by birds
stems often winged; branches with spur shoots
habitat moist woods, fields

Native species, State Rank S5 (very common in Delaware)