Sweet-gum
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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.
Native species, State Rank S5 (very common in Delaware)
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)
![Stacks Image 72](files/stacks-image-D07AF79-72.jpg)
![Stacks Image 109](files/stacks-image-733D265-109.jpg)
![Stacks Image 76](files/stacks-image-C811BC8-76.jpg)
![](http://arboretum.desu.edu/animations/liquidambar_styraciflua.gif)
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