American Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua · Altingiaceae (Sweetgum family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Star-shaped (palmate) with 5 deeply cut lobes
Margin
Finely serrate (toothed)
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Palmate venation radiating from the base of the leaf blade
Key Features
Star-shaped 5-lobed leaves, deeply furrowed bark or corky growths on smaller branches, and spiky round woody fruit capsules
Description
The American Sweetgum is a majestic and highly recognizable deciduous tree known for its distinct star-shaped leaves, unique corky ridged twigs, and spiky ball-like fruit clusters often called 'sweetgum balls' or 'sticker balls'. Its crown is typically pyramidal when young, rounding out with age.
Habitat
Bottomland forests, moist alluvial soils, and disturbed lowland areas; tolerates poorly drained soils well
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, from southern New York and Connecticut west to southern Illinois and eastern Texas, and south to Florida