• Liquidambar styraciflua
• North America, Mexico, Guatemala

Liquidambar: The word is made up of the Latin word liquidus for liquid and the Arabic word ambar for amber. "Liquid amber" therefore refers to the amber-colored, fragrant liquid that emerges from the tree.

Deciduous, stately tree with a continuous trunk and conical crown; final height up to 30 meters and 12 meters wide.

Particularly striking street, park and ornamental tree, especially with its striking autumn coloration.

Bark: covered with cork strips on trunk and branches.

Leaves: maple-like, 5 to 7-lobed, pointed, glossy green, multi-colored, spectacular autumn color from green-yellow-orange to carmine-scarlet.

Flowers: monoecious; male flowers in upright spikes, green, up to 7 cm; female flowers drooping in spherical heads

Fruits: spherical, woody, prickly capsules, up to 3 cm thick on long stalks, similar to plane tree fruits.

Characteristics: somewhat sensitive to frost - therefore should be planted in spring; requires open root space, not entirely resistant to urban climates.