Liquidambar styraciflua 'Variegata' (Variegated American Sweetgum)


Michael's Opinion

A very interesting tree, the one I photographed at Kew Gardens, London, England was quite striking in its maturity.

Botanical Information

FamilyAltingiaceae (Hamamelidaceae)
GenusLiquidambar
Speciesstyraciflua
Cultivar'Variegata'
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
References
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone6-9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone5b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-10
Temperature (°F)-23
Height15 m
Spread9 m
GrowthSlow

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionThe tree leaves are star shaped and resemble a maple, they are green with some cream spots. The fruit is mace shaped and the bark is corky looking.
ID CharacteristicPith is star shaped, fruit is mace shaped.
ShapeRounded to loosely pyramidal
LandscapeUrban sites, avenue trees and parkland trees. Most homeowners do not like it because of the fruit which is quite sharp and difficult to remove from the lawn.
PropagationPropagated by grafting onto the species rootstock.
CultivationFull sun in moist to dry soils, do not grow in alkaline soils as the tree will become chlorotic.
HabitatHorticultural origin.
Bark/Stem DescriptionGrey brown colour, deep furrows, narrow ridges. Can become corky looking after 2 years, bark on new growth is glossy and a red/yellow colour.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionThe buds are yellow brown 5 cm long. The inner scales enlarge with the growing shoot becoming 1 cm long, green tipped with red.
Leaf DescriptionVariegated green and cream, leaves are star shaped often mistaken for maple, 5-7 lobes and are alternate in arrangement.
Fruit DescriptionFruit is mace shaped, sharp looking and is found in clusters. They are difficultt to remove from the turf.
Colour DescriptionThe colour of the leaves are green and cream bark is grey brown.
Texture DescriptionLeaves have a glossy feel to it and bark is very coarse. Fruit is very rough and sharp.

Photographs