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Liquidambar styraciflua

Alligator-wood · American Storax · American Sweet Gum · Sweetgum

Family AltingiaceaeGenus Liquidambar

A tall tree turning red and green in autumn beside a lakeside path, a walker below it
The whole plantJean-Pol GRANDMONTCC BY 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Perennial, Shrub, TreeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
treePlants of the World Online
Height
60-100 ft18-30 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
40-50 ft12-15 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Gold/Yellow, Green, InsignificantExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Alabama, Arkansas, Belize, Connecticut, El Salvador, Florida and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
5-9Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally WetExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Watering
Drought tolerance: LowPLANTS Database

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Worth knowing

This source reports 4 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 15, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    18 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

82% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Liquidambar p. 172Public domain
Show the original text
Liquidambar (Hamamelidaceae). L. styraciflua seed is contained in spheres in which the pointed tips of the capsules gives the sphere a spiny appearance. By the time the capsules fall to the ground the seed has been shed. Drying causes the tips of the capsules to open. Many flakes of resin fall out, and these could be mistaken for seed. The true seeds are relatively larger and fewer. Germination was best with seed DS 6 m at 70 which germ. 75% when Sown at 70 and none when sown at 40. Germination with seed DS 6 m at 40 was similar as shown by 70(62%) and 40(6%)-70(6%) Germination was more extended with fresh seed as shown by 70(14%)-40-70(48%) and 40-70(82%)-40-70( 18%).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Liquidambar p. 172. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

62% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Liquidambar p. 172Public domain
Show the original text
Liquidambar (Hamamelidaceae). L. styraciflua seed is contained in spheres in which the pointed tips of the capsules gives the sphere a spiny appearance. By the time the capsules fall to the ground the seed has been shed. Drying causes the tips of the capsules to open. Many flakes of resin fall out, and these could be mistaken for seed. The true seeds are relatively larger and fewer. Germination was best with seed DS 6 m at 70 which germ. 75% when Sown at 70 and none when sown at 40. Germination with seed DS 6 m at 40 was similar as shown by 70(62%) and 40(6%)-70(6%) Germination was more extended with fresh seed as shown by 70(14%)-40-70(48%) and 40-70(82%)-40-70( 18%).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Liquidambar p. 172. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    14 germinated in this phase.

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

48% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Liquidambar p. 172Public domain
Show the original text
Liquidambar (Hamamelidaceae). L. styraciflua seed is contained in spheres in which the pointed tips of the capsules gives the sphere a spiny appearance. By the time the capsules fall to the ground the seed has been shed. Drying causes the tips of the capsules to open. Many flakes of resin fall out, and these could be mistaken for seed. The true seeds are relatively larger and fewer. Germination was best with seed DS 6 m at 70 which germ. 75% when Sown at 70 and none when sown at 40. Germination with seed DS 6 m at 40 was similar as shown by 70(62%) and 40(6%)-70(6%) Germination was more extended with fresh seed as shown by 70(14%)-40-70(48%) and 40-70(82%)-40-70( 18%).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Liquidambar p. 172. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    6 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

6% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Liquidambar p. 172Public domain
Show the original text
Liquidambar (Hamamelidaceae). L. styraciflua seed is contained in spheres in which the pointed tips of the capsules gives the sphere a spiny appearance. By the time the capsules fall to the ground the seed has been shed. Drying causes the tips of the capsules to open. Many flakes of resin fall out, and these could be mistaken for seed. The true seeds are relatively larger and fewer. Germination was best with seed DS 6 m at 70 which germ. 75% when Sown at 70 and none when sown at 40. Germination with seed DS 6 m at 40 was similar as shown by 70(62%) and 40(6%)-70(6%) Germination was more extended with fresh seed as shown by 70(14%)-40-70(48%) and 40-70(82%)-40-70( 18%).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Liquidambar p. 172. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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