Sweetgum

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

Sweetgum, also known as Redgum, American storax

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a medium-to-large tree native to warm temperate regions of North and Central America. It puts on a brilliant autumn display - the leathery star-shaped foliage turns orange, red, and burgundy, with multicolored individual leaves. Decorative foliage and an elegant straight trunk earned sweetgum a prominent place in parks and treelines around the world.

Key Facts About Sweetgum

PlantJoy - Identify plants with a snap

Identify and diagnose plants, get toxicity alerts, and explore safety guides for all types of fungi.

Try for Free

Attributes of Sweetgum

Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Tree
Plant Height
15 m to 46 m
Spread
15 m
Leaf Color
Green Red Orange Purple Yellow White Variegated
Flower Size
2.5 cm to 4 cm
Flower Color
Green Yellow

Scientific Classification of Sweetgum

Phylum
Vascular plants
Class
Dicotyledons
Order
Saxifragales
Family
Sweet gums
Genus
Sweetgums
Species
Sweetgum