American Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua L.

The American Sweetgum is a tall tree with star-shaped leaves that turn pretty colors in autumn. Its spiky seed balls are fun to look at!

Habitat: Forests and parks

Appearance

The American Sweetgum has distinctive star-shaped leaves that blaze into vibrant shades of red, purple, and yellow in fall. Its unique spherical, spiky seed capsules, often called 'gumballs,' make it easily recognizable.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaGenusLiquidambar

American Sweetgum

Interesting facts

Its spiky seed pods are nicknamed 'gumballs' because people once chewed its sweet, sticky sap!

Sweetgum trees are considered 'living fossils' as similar trees grew with the dinosaurs!

The fragrant sap was a popular chewing gum before modern chewing gum was invented!

The inner bark of the sweetgum was historically used by Native Americans to make a medicinal tea!

Special abilities

American Sweetgum has spiky 'gumballs' that protect its seeds, dropping them far from the parent tree to help it reproduce.

American Sweetgum can capture maximum sunlight with its unique star-shaped leaves, helping it grow tall and strong.

American Sweetgum has sticky, aromatic sap that helps heal its wounds and can even be used as medicine.

Measurements & details

Height: 20-40 m
Spread: 10-20 m
Edible: Yes
Size: 60-120 cm
Lifespan: 100-150 years
Fruit Type: Woody, spiky capsule (gumball)
Growth Rate: Medium
Leaf Type: Deciduous

Ecological connections

Eats

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

eats seeds from gumballs

Eats

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

browses young twigs and foliage

Eats

Luna Moth

Actias luna

caterpillars feed on its leaves

Eats

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

extracts seeds from dried pods

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Fruit Bearing

Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.

Fall Color

Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Trees

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify American Sweetgum?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is American Sweetgum?

20-40 m

How wide does American Sweetgum spread?

10-20 m

Is American Sweetgum edible?

Yes

How big is American Sweetgum?

60-120 cm

How long does American Sweetgum live?

100-150 years

Where is American Sweetgum usually found?

Forests and parks