2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Eastern liquidambar (lat. Liquidambar orientalis) - a beautiful tree of the genus Liquidambar (Latin Liquidambar) of the Altingiaceae family (Latin Altingiaceae). The appearance of the plant almost does not differ from other species of the genus, except that the leaf plate formed by five lobes is smaller in size than that of other relatives. But the "liquid ambergris", flowing through the veins of the plant, has more effective healing abilities, and therefore is used for the treatment of human ailments, as well as in the production of perfume and soap.
What's in your name
The plants owe their generic name "Liquidambar" to a resinous substance running through the vessels of trees and protruding on the bark of the trunk in the form of a gum, similar to pieces of amber.
The specific epithet "orientalis", which means "oriental" in Russian, is assigned to the plant in accordance with its habitat, which is the southwestern lands of Turkey plus a Greek island called Rhodes. For Europeans, they are "eastern lands".
The plant also has popular names, among which are widely known such as "Oriental sweet gum" ("Eastern sweet resin") or "Turkish sweet gum" ("Turkish sweet resin").
Description
Oriental liquidambar is a deciduous tree that is in no hurry to grow. The plant prefers to live in floodplains, in the valleys of rivers and streams, but sometimes it can be found on mountain slopes, as well as on dry soils.
In its natural habitat, the tree is taller, growing up to 15-21 meters in height, sometimes setting records up to a height of 30-35 meters. In cultivation, the height of the plant varies from 6 to 9 meters, taking the form of a large and wide shrub or small tree. The diameter of the tree trunk reaches one meter.
The powerful trunk is covered with fissured gray bark. The branches of the tree form a pyramidal crown and are covered with lobed leaves sitting on long stalks.
The leaf plate consists of five lobes with a coarsely toothed edge. Each blade in turn forms additional small blades. The length of the leaf plate is up to 7.5 centimeters, which is much shorter than that of other related trees. Leaves are born green, acquiring color by autumn, ranging from imperceptible yellowish-brown to respectable shades of red and yellow.
In spring, the trees are covered with spherical inflorescences formed by nondescript yellow-green flowers.
Female flowers are replaced by infructescences, which look like thorny balls. The wind carries the seeds along the ground, but many balls cling tenaciously to the branches, decorating the tree in winter.
Usage
The decorativeness of the tree, especially in the autumn period, makes it attractive for decorating landscapes of parks and gardens. Using trees to grow on city streets can be problematic, as roots damage sidewalks by destroying them, and thorny fruits falling to the ground create problems for pedestrians and walking animals. In areas where winters are colder than in Turkey, plants delight only with their elegant leaves, and, as a rule, it does not come to flowers and fruits.
"Liquid ambergris" Oriental liquidambar is actively used by healers. Pharmacological studies have shown that the plant's essential oil has strong antifungal properties. In addition, it helps with colds, cramps and cramps, and awakens the spirit and revives consciousness in the event of a coma.
Getting essential oil from “liquid ambergris” is a long and arduous process. However, the collection of juice and the export of processed products occupy a significant part of the budget in the local economy.
The fragrant resin of the Oriental Liquidambar is used in the production of perfumes, lotions, and toilet soaps.
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