What is Liquidambar styraciflua in English?
Liquidambar styraciflua, commonly known as the American sweetgum among other names, is a deciduous tree in the genus Liquidambar native to warm temperate areas of eastern North America and tropical montane regions of Mexico and Central America. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), also called redgum, sapgum, starleaf-gum, or bilsted, is a common bottom-land species of the South where it grows biggest and is most abundant in the lower Mississippi Valley.
What is another name for Liquidambar?
American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a deciduous tree native to North America, particularly the southeastern United States. It is commonly known for its attractive foliage, distinctive fruiting structures, and colorful autumn foliage. For the best autumn colour, grow Liquidambar styraciflua in full sun, in rich, damp soil. Sweet gum does not grow well on alkaline soil but does well on acid soil. Grow it in a sheltered spot as wind can snap the branches. It does not need pruning but dead or crossing branches can be removed in winter.
What does Liquidambar smell like?
Liquidambar is a beautiful, warm scent, especially suited for winter. Woody, balsamic with sweet and spicy notes such as vanilla. The essence is a gum from the tree, although the leaves give off a similar scent if you rub them in your hands. Liquidambar orientalis is a native of western Asia, where it grows in forests in warm zones, and favours moist soils, though it will also grow on dry mountain slopes. Growing to up to 30m it has five-lobed leaves and is often mistaken for a maple (Acer), though has alternate, not opposite leaves.
Why is it called Liquidambar?
Its genus name, Liquidambar, comes from the Latin liquidus (liquid) and ambar (amber) and refers to the bark’s aromatic resin. Pioneer families used sweetgum as it has been used through the ages: for healing wounds, chewing, incense and perfumery. Other: Liquidambars are valued for their timber and for the aromatic sap, called styrax. The timber provides pulp, veneer and lumber. The wood is used in cabinetry, home interiors, boxes and utensils. The balsamic sap is used as an ingredient in both medicine and perfume.