Florida Maple or Sweetgum (Ruby Slippers or Burgundy variety featuring deep dark purple leaves)
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Burgundy' · Altingiaceae (Sweetgum family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf with deeply palmately lobed structure
Shape
Star-shaped (stellate) with 5 to 7 sharply pointed, triangular lobes
Margin
Finely serrate (toothed) along the edges of the lobes
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement along the woody stems
Venation
Palmate venation radiating outward from the central base point where the petiole attaches
Key Features
Distinctive 5 to 7 lobed star shape, alternate arrangement, finely toothed margins, and intense dark purple coloration in ornamental varieties
Description
An attractive deciduous tree featuring star-shaped leaves that turn striking shades of purple and red, accompanied by spiky spherical fruit balls commonly called gumballs
Habitat
Prefers moist, well-draining acidic soils in full sun to partial shade, commonly found in bottomlands and floodplains
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, though specific purple-leaf cultivars like 'Burgundy' are widely planted globally as ornamental shade trees