sweetgum
Family
HamamelidaceaeScientific Name
Liquidambar styraciflua
Other Common Names:
bilsted
redgum
sapgum
starleaf-gum
Habit
Sweetgum is a common tree in the east and central United States that can be ornamental or a pest.
Leaves
The alternately arranged, simple, and palmate leaves a have 5-7 lobes/points. The leaves are generally dark green on the tops and slightly paler on the bottoms. Most leaves will be 4-6 inches across
Identifying Characteristics
Sweetgum has a distinctive ridged gray/brown bark. One of its most defining characteristics is its "gumball" seeds than spread through rolling down hills, wind, water, etc. The terminal bed is orange/brown with scales. They produce a sweet smell and a sticky sap.
Flower Seed Head
Flowers are male and female of thin stalks. The heads are generally an inch across. Flowers are globose and yellow with red edges.
Seed Fruit
The fruit is round like a gumball with spikes and hangs by a woody stem. The gumball is actually a cluster of capsules, each capsule contains 2 seeds.
Where Found
Sweetgum is common in the east, south, and central United States.
Growth Habit
woody bush or tree
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
quarter,
half dollar
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
yellow,
red
Flower Symmetry
not symmetrical
Leaf Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
round,
lance
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
lobed
Leaf Structure
Varies:
simple,
palmate
Leaf Stalk
Varies:
shorter than leaf,
longer than leaf
Stem Hairs
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
fibrous
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Tree