Sweet Gum, Red Gum, American Sweet Gum, Red Sweet Gum,

Liquidambar styraciflua

Physical Characteristics

Liquidambar styraciflua is a deciduous Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - Connecticut to Florida, west to Texas and Illinois.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Gum A chewing gum and a stabilizer for cakes etc is obtained from the resin[102, 105, 149, 159]. It can also be chewed to sweeten the breath[183].

Medicinal Uses

Antiseptic Astringent Carminative Cholera Diuretic Dysentery Expectorant Parasiticide Poultice Salve Sedative Stimulant Vulnerary A resin obtained from the trunk of the tree (see 'Uses notes' below) is antiseptic, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, parasiticide, poultice, salve, sedative, stimulant, vulnerary[21, 46, 57, 61, 149, 171, 213, 218, 222, 238]. It is chewed in the treatment of sore throats, coughs, asthma, cystitis, dysentery etc[222, 238, 257]. Externally, it is applied to sores, wounds, piles, ringworm, scabies etc[222, 238]. The resin is an ingredient of 'Friar's Balsam', a commercial preparation based on Styrax benzoin that is used to treat colds and skin problems[238]. The mildly astringent inner bark is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and childhood cholera[222].

Known Hazards

None known