Images of the Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) | Leafsnap: An Electronic Field Guide

Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua

This species is native to warm regions in eastern North and Central America. This medium-sized (20-35 m tall) deciduous tree has leaves that look similar to those of maples, but Sweetgum leaves are arranged alternately on the branches. Mature trees produce a clear, brownish-yellow resin that has been traditionally used to treat wounds in humans and animals.

Habitat:: Bottomlands, coastal zones.
Growth Habit:: Deciduous tree, growing up to 40 m tall with pyramidal crown.
Bloom Time:: Early to mid-spring.
Longevity:: Long-lived.
Presence in US:: AL AR CA CT DC DE FL GA IL IN KY LA MA MD ME MO MS NC NJ NY OH OK PA RI SC TN TX VA WV

This project was supported in part by NSF Grant IIS-03-25867 (ITR: An Electronic Field Guide: Plant Exploration and Discovery in the 21st Century) and by the Washington Biologists' Field Club.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views, opinions, or policy of the National Science Foundation (NSF).