Taiwanese Liquidambar

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Taiwanese liquidambar (Latin Liquidambar formosana) - one of the tree species of the genus Liquidambar (Latin Liquidambar), belonging to the Altingia family (Latin Altingiaceae). It differs from other species of the genus in three-lobed leaves, while in other species the leaves have five to seven lobes. The thorny fruits of Taiwan Liquidambar are less dangerous to human feet than the fruits of the American Liquidambar tar because they are softer. But, all the same, they cause trouble to people, especially the janitors, when, falling to the ground, they form thorny rugs on the paths. All parts of the plant have healing powers.

What's in your name

If the tree owes its generic name "Liquidambar" to "liquid amber", a fragrant resin that permeates the entire plant, then to its specific epithet "formosana" it owes the name of the place of growth in natural conditions.

And the Taiwanese Liquidambar grows in a number of countries in Southeast Asia (China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam), including the island of Taiwan. During the time of colonial dependence, the island had another name, Formosa, given to it by the Portuguese. Translated, this name means "Beautiful Island" as it was seen by the Portuguese conquerors. This name prevailed in western cartography of those legendary times and was firmly entrenched for the island. Hence the species epithet "formosana" was born, which is translated by the modern name of the island "Taiwanese".

In addition to its official Latin name, the plant is widely known under such names as "Chinese sweet gum" or "Formosan gum" ("Formosan gum").

Description

Taiwanese liquidambar is a large deciduous tree that grows to a height of thirty to forty meters. Its powerful roots can be aggressive towards neighboring plants. The upright trunk of the tree is strong, covered with fissured bark. The branches of the tree are usually covered with cork growths. In youth, the crown of the tree has a pyramidal shape, which over the years turns into an oval-rounded one.

Unlike most plant species of the genus Liquidambar, in which the leaves are formed by five to seven lobes, the leaves of this species have only three lobes, less often five lobes. The width of the leaf plate ranges from ten to fifteen centimeters, which is also much more modest than that of some relatives. The shape of simple whole leaves is palm-shaped. The edge of the leaf plate is decorated with denticles, the tips of the blades are pointed. The surface of the leaves is glossy, with an intense green color. Young leaves have a lavender hue. Autumn evens out all species of the genus, coloring also the leaves of Taiwan Liquidambar in an attractive red or yellow color.

Spring is the time of flowering trees. Male flowers look like earrings, and nondescript female yellow-green flowers form dense spherical inflorescences, which are replaced by spherical prickly fruit. The fruit balls ripen to a dark brown color and hang on the tree in winter.

Such balls create problems for passers-by when they fall to the ground, covering it with a prickly carpet. True, Taiwanese liquidambar balls are less dangerous for human feet than, for example, Liquidambar resinous balls growing in the United States of America, since they are softer and less woody. However, they definitely add work to the wipers.

Healing abilities

Almost all parts of Taiwanese Liquidambar have healing powers. The roots and leaves of the plant are used to treat malignant tumors.

For the treatment of fluxes and various skin diseases, tree bark is used.

The prickly fruits are used to treat arthritis, acute lower back pain, edema, kidney problems, and skin diseases.

The aromatic resin of the tree treats bleeding wounds, carbuncles (purulent inflammation of the skin), calms toothache, and fights tuberculosis. The resin is extracted from wounds or cuts in the trunk of a tree. The resin extract helps improve blood circulation and also relieves pain.

Other uses

Taiwanese liquidambar is used in ornamental gardening, but with restrictions, since powerful roots can disrupt the integrity of sidewalks, and prickly fruits create problems for pedestrians.

Wood is used to make furniture, floor coverings, and tea chests.

The leaves of the tree are fed to silk worms.