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Liquidambar styraciflua 'Rotundiloba' is often confused with:
Liquidambar styraciflua Fall foliage
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Aesculus flava Tree in full bloom
Quercus nigra Quercus nigra
Ulmus americana Full Form

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Rotundiloba'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
lih-kwid-AM-ber sty-ris-IH-floo-uh
Description

Sweetgum ‘Rotundiloba’ is a woody, deciduous tree in the Sweetgum family (Altingiaceae). It was introduced by J. C. Raulston in 1997 and is distinguished by a lack of the spiny, messy “gumball” fruits its parent plant is known for.

This tree will grow 60 to 75 feet tall and spread 20- 40 feet wide with a open pyramidal shape. Fruitless sweetgum requires full sun to partial shade and acidic, well-drained soil. It is not as cold-hardy as the species but is moderately drought and salt-tolerant.

Showy fall foliage can be an array of colors from golden yellow to purple to burgundy reds. Its bark has the corky projections characteristic of sweetgum.

A shade or street tree is a good use for this plant as well as a specimen in a lawn. Avoid placing it near driveways or sidewalks due to its aggressive root system.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Liquidambar styraciflua.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#shade tree#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#purple leaves#fall interest#moist soil#well-drained soil#acidic soils tolerant#fantz#deciduous tree#urban conditions tolerant#sandy soils tolerant#loamy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant
 
Form
Form David J. Stang CC BY-SA 4.0
Form
Form CC BY 2.0 JC Raulston Arboretum
JC Raulston Arboretum
Close up of leaves
Close up of leaves David J. Stang CC BY-SA 4.0
Leaves
Leaves CC BY 2.0 JC Raulston Arboretum
JC Raulston Arboretum
Fall Color
Fall color CC BY 2.0 JC Raulston Arboretum
JC Raulston Arboretum
Bark
Bark David J. Stang CC BY-SA 4.0
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Rotundiloba'
Fall Color Form Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Rotundiloba'
Fall Color Leaf Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#shade tree#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#purple leaves#fall interest#moist soil#well-drained soil#acidic soils tolerant#fantz#deciduous tree#urban conditions tolerant#sandy soils tolerant#loamy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Liquidambar
    Species:
    styraciflua
    Family:
    Altingiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Dimensions:
    Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Open
    Pyramidal
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Rarely produces fruit
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    Rarely blooms
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Palmatifid
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    4-8 inch wide and long star-shaped leaves are alternate, simple and entire with palmate venation. The 5-lobes are rounded at the tips. Fall color is variable and can be yellow to reds.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Bark Description:
    The gray-brown bark is deeply furrowed
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Corky Ridges
    Stem Description:
    Branches are covered with characteristic corky projections.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Design Feature:
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Street Tree
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Salt