Widespread title
Sweetgum
Scientific title
Liquidambar styraciflua L.
Household
Altingiaceae
Botanical description
Sweetgum is a tall tree that loses its leaves within the winter. It may possibly develop as much as 65-115 ft (20-35 meters) in top and has a straight trunk with a pyramid-shaped or rounded crown of leaves on the high. The tree’s bark is greyish-brown and has deep grooves working alongside it.
The leaves of the Sweetgum tree are organized alternately on the branches and have a easy construction. They’re formed like a hand with 5-7 fingers (lobes) and are 3-7.5 inches (7-19 cm) lengthy. Within the spring, the tree produces small, yellowish-green flowers which can be both male or feminine.
The fruits of the Sweetgum tree are woody, spherical, and spiky balls which can be about 1-1.6 inches (2.5-4 cm) in diameter. Inside these fruit capsules, there are numerous small seeds.
Standing
Native to North America and extensively cultivated as a decorative tree.
Habitat and distribution
Candy Gum is native to the japanese United States, starting from southern Connecticut to central Florida, and increasing west to Illinois, Missouri, and japanese Texas. It grows in wealthy, moist soils of bottomlands, river valleys, and swamp margins.
Components used for meals
The hardened sap, often called “Sweetgum,” and the seeds are edible.
Harvest time
The sap could be harvested year-round, whereas the seeds are collected within the fall when the fruits mature.
Meals makes use of
The hardened sap could be chewed like a gum or used as a flavouring agent. The seeds could be roasted and eaten.
Dietary profile
Restricted info is offered on the dietary profile of Candy Gum. The seeds include fatty acids and amino acids.
Conventional drugs makes use of
Sweetgum has been utilized in conventional drugs for varied functions. The bark has been used to deal with diarrhoea, dysentery, and wounds. The resin has been used as an expectorant and to deal with pores and skin illnesses.
Different makes use of
The wooden of Candy Gum is used for furnishings, veneer, and pulpwood. The tree can be extensively planted as a decorative for its enticing fall foliage.
Security notes
Candy Gum is mostly thought-about protected when consumed in meals quantities. Nonetheless, the security of medicinal use has not been nicely studied.
References
Couplan, F. (1998). The Encyclopedia of Edible Vegetation of North America. McGraw-Hill.
Duke, J. A. (2002). Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. CRC Press.
Flora of North America Editorial Committee. (2016). Flora of North America North of Mexico, Quantity 12: Magnoliophyta: Vitaceae to Garryaceae. Oxford College Press.
Grimm, W. C. (1983). The Illustrated E book of Timber. Stackpole Books.
