Asian styrax, Oriental sweet gum
Liquidambar orientalis
Family: Altingiaceae
What it is like
A bushy tree that loses its leaves. It grows 10-30 m high and spreads 6-20 m wide. It is often smaller in cultivation. The leaves have 5 lobes and are 7-10 cm across. There are coarse teeth along the edge. The leaves turn yellow and orange in autumn. The flowers are small. The fruit are small and spiny balls.
It is used in medicine. Also put in the family Hamamelidaceae.
Where it is found
It is a temperate or Mediterranean plant. Arboretum Tasmania. National Arboretum Canberra.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Asia Minor, Australia, Europe, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye
How it is used for food
The gummy resin is used to flavour chewing gum and baked goods.
Edible parts
Gum
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.
The gum can be extracted by cutting the bark. Banging the tree helps gum flow.