20 Graines Copalme d'amérique, Liquidambar styraciflua

Copical of America, Liquidambar Styraciflua |

Copical of America, Liquidambar Styraciflua is a very decorative deciduous tree which naturally grows in the mountainous regions of Mexico, the United States and Central America. The name Liquidambar is derived from the sap, amber, resinous and sweet of the plant and spreads abundantly on the rod.

20 seeds - Average germination: 70% - Bonsaï: Yes - Rusticity: -25 ° C

The tree is native to the east of theNorth America. Present along the banks of Mississippi and the river Ohio, it also pushesNew York State until Florida1. He preferably grows on quality alluvial land, well lit, where he shares his range with oaks and poplars. He does not appreciate marshy terrains or too limestone and too dry lands1. The tree was introduced in Europe around 16812, where it is cultivated for example as an ornamental tree to Ukraine.

The Liquidambar has an average height ranging from 25 to 35 meters for a diameter up to 1 meter at the age of 200 to 300 years1. It has an irregular oval shape. It has vigorous growth and can give its first fruits around 25 years1. The bark is dark brown with subjects (cork lines). It is often cultivated in the form of Baliveau. Its brown-red wood is precious and resembles that of Noyer1.

The leaves (10 to 18 CM long) are palmatilobed, simple, in stars, with webbed ribs, they can include 5 to 7 finely toothed triangular lobes. They take a red color then purple very characteristic in the fall1.

The Fruit, resembling that of Platane, is an bristling ball hanging from 2 to 3 CM in diameter composed of about fifty Capsules Bilobes each containing two winged seeds of 5 MM long. The capsules open at maturity at the end of autumn quickly letting out the winged seeds. Many winged seeds abort and produce a powder resembling sawdust escaping from the fruit when you shake it.

Given the quality and appearance of its wood, it is used to make furniture in the field ofcabinetmaking1. We extract from its wood and its fruits a liquid amber called " Baume de Liquidambar ". This was used as chewing gum by the Indians Cherokees, as well as in Traditional Medicine, in particular to treat Sciatic - but the quality of this Baume is surpassed by many other products of the same type and these uses have now fallen into disuse1.

Contents subject to the CC-BY-SA 3.0license. Source : Article Liquidambar Styraciflua by Wikipedia in French (Authors)