Plantidote of the Day 2010-09-28

Common Name: Sweet Gum tree

Liquidambar styraciflua

Family: Hamamelidaceae

A lovely example of Fall FAIL, aka autumn in Zone 10. Breathtaking, isn't it? Not. In other parts of the country, liquidambars are known for their magnificent display of color in autumn. Here, they're known for dropping dull brown leaves and rock-hard spiky little balls of "fruit" well into spring. Feeling sorry for me yet?

If so, please share some pics of fall color where you are and I'll be forever grateful and promise not to bitch about this again ... at least until next September. Now back to the liquidambar ...

Actually, it's a spectacular tree in spring and summer -- very tall (more than 40' high) with lush foliage that provides a lot of shade. There are two in the front yard, and one year, for some mysterious reason, the leaves on both turned a spectacular shade of gold. But it's never happened again. So get out those cameras and show us what you got, foliage-wise, in your neck of the woods. We'll be waiting ...

Readers, please send me (twig4now@gmail.com) images and stories for the ongoing Plantidote of the Day series. In exchange, you'll win undying fame in the form of a hat tip! Plants growing in your garden, your house, or neighbor's yard, plants from the forest or farmers' market, plants you preserved, plants you prepared (wine; cider; tea; dried beans), plants you harvested (grains; chantrelles), plants you picked (flowers), plants you dried (herbs), plants you covet or hope to grow someday. Herbal remedies, propagation tips, new varieties, etc.. And if you can, include some solid detail about the plant, too -- a story, the genus and species, or where you got the seeds, or the recipe, or your grandmother gave it to you. Or challenge us with a “Name That Plant” mystery entry ... And please feel free to add corrections and additional information in the comments.

PLANTIDOTE GROUP FORMING: Want to help gather images and take Plantidote of the Day to the next level? Of course you do! Join jerztomato, kerril and me by clicking the Join Groups menu item to sign up or email me at the address above!

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