Tulip tree, North American Tulip tree, Whitewood
Liriodendron tulipifera

Family: Magnoliaceae

What it is like

It is a large tree. It loses its leaves during winter. It grows 25-35-60 m tall. The trunk is 1 m across. The young bark is smooth but later develops rough ridges. The leaves are alternate and simple. The leaves have four lobes. They are 7-12 cm long. The leaves are dark green. They have shallow notches at the tip. They turn yellow in autumn. The flowers are tulip-shaped and pale green. They are 5 cm across. The fruit are winged and 3-5 cm long. They are spindle shaped and look like a bud. It breaks up into winged seeds.

There are 2 Liriodendron species. It is also used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to E. North America. It grows on deep, rich moist soils along streams and near swamps. It cannot tolerate shade. It suits hardiness zones 4-10. Horsham Botanical Gardens. Burnie Rhodo gardens. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, East Africa, Europe, India, Korea, Myanmar, North America, SE Asia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The root is used to prepare a liquor. It removes the bitternes of spruce beer and adds a lemon flavour.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, bark - flavouring

How it is grown

It is fast growing. Good seed crops occur nearly every year.

Its other names

Local names

Tulipanovec

Synonyms

Liriodendron procerum Salisb.; Liriodendron truncatifolium Stokes; Tulipifera liriodendrum Mill.; and others