• Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Liquidambar styraciflua

sweetgum

Nomenclature

Common Name:

sweetgum

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Liquidambar styraciflua

Family:

Altingiaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

to 80 ft ft tall by to 30 ft ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Deciduous. Blooms (inconspicuous) in spring. Fruit ripens in fall. Life span: 75+ years.

Noted For:

Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Fall Color, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Shade tree. This is a clone former, so it can also be used to provide screening or for an "island" of habitat for wildlife

Considerations:

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Availability:

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Propagation:

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Light:

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Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam

Soil pH:

Prefers acid but adaptable.

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars

Larval host plant for luna ( Actias luna ) moths.

Provides cover for birds and other animals.

Native Habitats:

Dry-moist sites. River bottoms, upland hardwood forests, roadsides.

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments: