Liquidambar styraciflua L.

A deciduous tree. It grows 40 m high. It is broadly cone shaped. The bark is dark grey-brown and develops deep cracks. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are divided into 5 lobes like the fingers on a hand. The leaves are 15 cm long. The lobes taper to a point and have fine teeth along the edges. They are glossy green above and turn red or purple in the autumn. They are on shoots which are corky and winged. The male and female flowers are in separate rounded heads on the same plant. These are yellow-green. The fruit are small and brown in rounded clusters. These hang down. They are 4 cm across.

It grows in temperate and tropical places. It is native to central America, Mexico and the eastern United States. It grows in moist woods. It is hardy. It suits hardiness zones 5-11. Arboretum Tasmania. Burnie Rhodo gardens. In XTBG Yunnan.

The resin has been used to flavour drinks. The gum was chewed for chewing gum.

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.