Liquidambar styraciflua (Shuttle Gum Group)Indiana Native
American Sweetgum

 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
Yellow (Yellow-green in the spring; not ornamentally important)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Dark green star-shaped leaves in the summer); Multi-Colored (The stunning fall foliage ranges from scarlet to yellow to bronze, sometimes all at once)
 Fruit Notes:
Brown (Interesting, round, multi-horned fruits beginning green, maturing brown; can cause litter problems)
 Light Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Widely adapted to different soils
 Range:
Eastern United States and into Mexico
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves alternate, simple, 4-7.5" long and wide, star-shaped (5-7 pointed lobes), and finely serrate. Ovate buds (0.25-0.5" long) are reddish green-brown. Stems are rounded to somewhat angled, often developing corky wings. Sap has gum-like consistency.

Additional Information

This group of Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum) trees was germinated in August of 1984 aboard the space shuttle Discovery. Purdue astronaut Charles Walker of Bedford, Indiana, brought back 200 tiny trees; these recognize Purdue's many astronauts. Sweetgums are handsome shade trees with few troubles and outstanding seasonal interest. Widely adapted to soils and climates, as evidenced by their wide range. Fall foliage coloration varies greatly in timing and intensity among individuals. Rather difficult to transplant in large sizes. Varies widely in hardiness. Select native northern stock for use in North. Horned fruits can be a serious litter problem, dulling mower blades and injurying bare feet.

When Liquidambar styraciflua (Shuttle Gum Group) has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Fruiting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

2 Liquidambar styraciflua (Shuttle Gum Group) found

Building Map...

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= Heritage plant = Memorial plant
Number Accession ID Location
1ORIG_7877*APICK
Heritage Plant
Dedicated/Memorial Plant
2ORIG_2708*AGRIS
Heritage Plant
Dedicated/Memorial Plant

Other plants like this Liquidambar styraciflua (Shuttle Gum Group) (American Sweetgum)

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