Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Saxifragales>Altingiaceae>Liquidambar styraciflua L.

	Sweetgum is one of our most common and familiar trees in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain of North Carolina, with distinctive star-shaped leaves and spiky ball-shaped fruits. Wake Co., NC 5/6/2012.
	Person Co., NC 6/10/2009.
	Sweetgum is rare in the Mountain region, where it is found in lower elevations, such as here along the French Broad River. Madison Co., NC 4/9/2012.
	Madison Co., NC 4/9/2012.

The star-shaped leaves, which are alternate and deciduous, have a pleasant, sweet fragrance when crushed.

This early successional tree often associates with Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera).

Durham Co., NC 9/10/02.

Sweetgum leaves turn a spectacular range of colors in the fall, from bright yellow to purplish-black.

Chapel Hill, NC 11/13/05.

Male inflorescence (above) with expanding female inflorescence and old fruit ball from last year hanging below .

Durham, NC 3/28/07.

Ripening fruits.

Sweetgum is rare in the Mountain province of North Carolina, growing at lower elevations along rivers.

French Broad River, Madison Co., NC 5/11/08.

The spiky ball fruits are unique.

Durham Co., NC 12/4/05.

	Twigs often (but not always) have corky wings. Durham Co., NC 9/10/02.
	Bark of young trees is mostly smooth but often has warty projections. Durham Co., NC 9/10/02.
	Bark of a medium-sized tree. Orange Co., NC 9/20/02.
	Bark of a medium-sized tree. Durham, NC 3/28/07.
	Bark of a large tree. The bark becomes more ridged with maturity. Durham Co., NC 12/4/05.
	Large tree. Liquidambar was traditionally placed in the Hamamelidaceae, but molecular studies have shown that Liquidambar isn't closely related to Hamamelis and is better placed in the Altingiaceae. Durham Co., NC 12/4/05.

Some more bark shots, showing the variation in the corky projections found on your trees.

Orange Co., NC 3/20/10.