Liquidambar formosana Hance

Trees to 30 m tall, trunk sometimes 1 m in diam.; bark gray-brown; branchlets pubescent or glabrous, somewhat lenticellate; buds ovoid, 1 cm, puberulent. Stipules red, nearly free or adnate to petiole, 1–1.4 cm; petiole 8–12 cm, pubescent; leaf blade broadly ovate, palmately 3-lobed and 3-veined, central lobe longer, abaxially usually drying gray-white, pubescent or glabrous, base rounded, margin glandular serrate, apex caudate-acuminate, cordate, subcordate or truncate, veins prominent on both surfaces. Male inflorescence a short spike, several arranged in a raceme. Female inflorescence 24–43-flowered; peduncle 3–6 cm, occasionally lenticellate, eglandular. Male flowers: stamens many, filaments unequal, anthers slightly shorter than filaments. Female flowers: staminode teeth 4–7, needlelike, 4–8 mm; ovary pubescent, styles 6–10 mm, usually coiled backwards. Infructescence globose, 3–4 cm wide. Capsules with persistent staminodes. Seeds many, brown. Fl. Mar–Jun, fr. Jul–Sep.

Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Zhejiang [S Korea, Laos, N Vietnam]. Fujian, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Zhejiang [S Korea, Laos, N Vietnam].

Sunny places, near villages, montane forests; 500--800 m.

Liquidambar acerifolia Maximowicz; L. formosana var. monticola Rehder & E. H. Wilson; L. maximowiczii Miquel; L. tonkinensis A. Chevalier.

China (Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hong Kong, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, and Zheijiang), Laos, and Vietnam. Representative specimens examined. China: Anhui: K. Ping 1597 (MO); Chien Shan Hsien, Tien Chu Shan, Chien Shan Hsien, C. S. Fan 280 (GH); Chiuhwashan, S.C. Sun 1302 (GH); Wang Shilong. Hefei Shi, Zushan, east slope, H.L. Yin 2031 (MO); Hwa Shan, C.S. Fan 75 (E); Chongqing (formerly in Sichuan Prov.): Chengkou Shi, T.L. Dai 103616 (MO); Nanchuan Hsien, W.P. Fang 811 (A); Fujian: Fan Hsioh Niao, Shaowu and vicinity, F.P. Metcalfe 9360 (GH); Hinghwa Dist., H.H. Chung 1006 (GH); Nanping Shi, Mangdangshan, G.-S. He 6179 (MO); Nanping Shi, 3800 Kan, G.-S. He 5677 (MO); Minhow Hsien: Pehling, near village dwellings, H.H. Chung 2132 (GH); Sing-Shan, Foochow and vicinity, C.C. Tang 4655 (MO); Yenping: Buong Kang, H.H. Chung 3589 (GH); Yenping: Cha-ping, on slope, H.H. Chung 2901 (GH); Gansu: Wan Xian, Bikou, Z.-Y. Zhang 14271 (MO); Wan Xian, Motianling Shan, Baishui Jiang Nature Reserve, ENE of city of Bikou, D.E. Boufford et al. 37528 (MO);Guangdong: Chong Uen Shan near Kau Fung, Loh Ch’ang District, W. Tsang 20927 (A, MO); Guangdong, Canton and vicinity, C.O. Levine 1731 (MO); Lok F’au Mt., C.O. Levine 1572 (MO); Lung T’au Shan, Iu village and Yeung uk village, Lignan Team 12347 (MO); Nanling National Forest Park, S. Ickert-Bond 1305 (F); Nanling National Forest Park, S. Ickert-Bond 1305 (F), S. Ickert-Bond 1309 (F); Nanxiong, L. Deng 6602 (MO); Near Ninling city, on hill side, S. Ickert-Bond 1321 (F); Road to Jiangxi, along river, ca. 5 km S of Shitang city, S. Ickert-Bond 1326 (F); Road to Hunan from Nine Peaks, ca. 7 km outside of town, S. Ickert-Bond 1324 (F); Wan Tong Shan, Ying Tak district, T.M. Tsui 417 (MO); Yang Shan, and vicinity, South of Linchow, Yang Shan district, T.M. Tsui 516 (MO); T.M. Tsui 660 (2 sheets, MO); Xinyi Xian, C. Wang 31824 (MO); Guangchow, White Cloud Hill on the way to the Temple, H.H. Chung 866 (GH); Guangxi: A.N. Steward 442 (GH);Chuen Yuen, T.S. Tsoong 81972 (GH); Longjing, Daginshan, P.X. Tan 57605 (MO); Loh Hoh Tsuen, Ling Yun Hsien, A.N. Steward 29 (GH); Mts. Surrounding Pa Lau village, near Sui-Luk, SW o Nanning (Sui-luk village), W.T. Tsang 21817 (GH); San-min village and vicinity, P’an-ku-shan and Ch’ao- t’ien-shan, Kwei-lin district, W.T. Tsang 28068 (GH); Ta Tseh Tsuen, A.N. Steward 1075 (GH);Guizhou: Jiangkou Xian, Baishuidong (white water cave) above the Minxiao River, SW of Jiangkou, B. Bartholomew 773 (GH); Lungli, H. Handel- Manzetti 185 (GH); Hainan: Bak Sa, S. K. Lau 25962 (GH). Bawangshanling, Z.-X. Li 3841 (MO); Chim Shan, Maan Ts’uen and vicinity, Ling Shui (Ling- tui) district, H. Fung 20245 (MO); Ka Chik Shan, Ka Chik Shan and vicinity, S.K. Lau 1645 (GH); Kam Kong, Yik Tsok Mau, Canton Christian College Herbarium 7700 (MO); Lingshui Xian, Nanqui, L. Deng 3116 (MO); Pak Shik Ling, Pak Shik Ling and vicinity, Ku Tung Village (Ching Mai district), C.I. Lei 355 (GH); Yangxin Xian, Longgang Zhen, C.-L. Ye 9689 (MO); Ya Xian, X.-R. Liang 62343 (MO); Yonlin, Yaichow, F.C. How 20124 (MO);Hong Kong: Chung Chi College, S.Y. Hu & K.H. Yung 46 (MO); Chinese University of Hong Kong campus, S.Y. Hu 20064 (MO); S.Y. Hu 20953 (GH, MO); Hau T’ong Shan, Fuk Lung Monastery, Sin-Fung District, Fung Shue, Y.M. Taam 779 (GH); Hong Kong University campus, H.C. Tang 1473 (GH); Shing Mun Country Park, at the crossroads of Lead Mine Pass and Main Dam, S. Ickert-Bond 1260 (F); Hubei: Changchow, White Cloud Hill on the way to the Temple, H.H. Chung 866 (GH); Chikungshan, border of the provinces of Hupeh and Honan, on the divide between the Yang-Tze and the Hwai-ho rivers, L.H. Bailey s.n. (GH); Hinghwa Dist., H.H. Chung 1006 (GH); Hupeh (W) Arnold Arboretum Expedition, E.H. Wilson 795 (E); Lin District, C.O. Levine 3302 (GH); A. Henry 5218 (GH); A. Henry 7630 (GH); Lung T’au Shan, Iu village and Yeung uk village, Lignan 12347 (MO); Western Hupeh, Feng Heang, E.H. Wilson 513 (GH); W. Hupeh, E.H. Wilson 218 (GH); Xinyi Xian, C. Wang 31824 (MO); Yang Shan and vicinity, South of Linchow, Yang Shan district, T.M. Tsui 660 (MO); Yenping, Cha-ping, H. H. Chung 2901 (GH); Hunan: Henyuang, Goulowshan, J.B. Zuo 356 (MO); Liuyuang Xian, Longfa Zhen, Shizhu Feng, B. Xiong 2922 (MO); P’ing T’ou Shan, T’ang Wan village, Yi Chang district, W.T. Tsang 23613 (GH); Yushun Xian, Zhengxi, X-G. Li 204950 (MO); Jiangsu: Changsu, T.Y. Cheo 1149 (MO); Haichow village, J. Hers 2264 (GH); Hua Shan, Nanking, W.R. Carles s.n. (E); Kinling, E.H. Wilson 1639 (GH); Liu Liu Shan, near Haichow, J. Hers 608 (GH); Mao Shan, Tanjang, Tso 1803 (GH); Nanking, S.S. Chien 1019 (GH); Yun-Tai-Shan, northern headland of Liuhe, extending into Kou Linhong, Lianyungong Bay, SAYTBET 45208 (GH); Yun-Tai-Shan, Lian-yun-gang, NE of Jiangsu prov., K. Yao 8505 (MO); Yuntai, Zikiang Shan (Purple Mountain), N extension of Mao Shan; NE of Sun Yat-Sen Memorial and Tomb, SAYTBET 45272 (GH); Jiangxi: Chuen Yuen, T.S. Tsoong 81972 (GH); De-Xin county, K. Yao 11561 (GH); Gangmaiping Xiang Huangyangjie, B. Xiong 5706 (MO); ); 3 km from Julianshan Nature Preserve entrance, S. Ickert-Bond 1327 (F); Kinkiang, E.H. Wilson 1628 (GH); Oo Chi Shan, near Lam Uk Village, Lungan district, S.K. Lau 4809 (GH); San-min village and vicinity, P’an-ku-shan and Ch’ao-t’ien-shan, Kwei-lin district, W.T. Tsang 28068 (GH); Sang-su-ling, near Sih-cha-chieh Kan River, about 60 mi south of Nanchnag, Kinagsi, H.H. Chung 40 (GH); Shanxi: Yuyang Xian, Xiaoguojiaba, K.-J. Fu 5799 (MO); Sichuan: T. T. Yu 229 (GH, MO); Taiwan: Chiayi Hsien, Fanlu Hsiang, area nearby Pantienyen, Y.-R. Lin 516 (MO); Formosana Hokuto, A. Faurie 279 (GH); Hsinchu Hsien, Wufengm Wushishan, S. Saito 8371 (MO); Kelung, O. Warburg 9810 (GH); Nanto, Province Nanto, E.H. Wilson 10031 (GH)Wuu Tsau street, T. Sozan 13490 (GH), L.L. Liu et al. s.n. (MO); Taipei, University campus, Y.R. Cheun s.n. (GH, MO); Tamsui, A. Henry 425 (GH); Taitum, U. Faurie 45 (GH); Zheijiang: Feng Yang Mountains, H.-Y. Zou 140 (GH); Kwangsi, Yung Hsien, Ta Tseh Tsuen, A.N. Steward 1075 (GH); Langquan, Taishui, R.C. Ching 4823 (GH); Lishui, Dagantou, S. Chang 6242 (MO); Sang-su-ling, near Sih-cha-chieh Kan River, about 60 li souht of Nanchnag, Kinagsi, H.H. Chung 40 (GH); Taichow, R.-C. Ching 1578 (GH), R.-C. Ching 4823 (GH); Tien Tai Shan, Kwohchingze, C.Y. Chiao 14238 (GH). LAOS: Bolikhamsay, Khamheut district, Ban Namphao, ca. 5 km east of town proper, D.D. Soejarto 11399 (GH); haut plateau, bassin d’ attopen, Harmand 13007 (P). Vietnam: Cao Bang: Ha Lang, municipality Thang Loi, vicinity of Thang Loi village, P.K. Loc et al. 1704 (MO); De Quang: Quang Tri, Lao Bao, M. Poilane 1317 (P);Bac Giang: Sau (Annam), Tonkin, foret de Pho-ve, A. Chevalier 2964 (P); Ha Tay: Da Chong, A. Petelot 5747 (A); Mt. Bavi National Park, close to Park headquarters, roadside, S. Ickert-Bond 1290 (F), Mt. Bavi National Park, roadside, S. Ickert-Bond 1291 (F); Hoa Binh: Kim Boi, T. Tien Phuong 2539 (HN); Lang Son: Dong Dang, B. Balansa 1156 (P); Huu Lien District, Huu Lsien Municipality, Huu Lien Protected Area, near village of Lan Cau, D.K. Harder et al. 4180 (MO); Lai moi sau cuoi, Savanne cay go, Chi lang, N. Tang Khoi 420, 421 (HN); Nghe An: Ke hhe, Donnat 38180 (P); Reserve forestier de Co - Ba (Vie-Nhe), F. Fleury 30170 (P); Ninh Binh: Cuc Phuong National Park, headquarters, east of helipad, N.M. Cuong 93 (GH, MO); Phu Tho: Foret de Dao gia, pres de Phu Tho, A. Chevalier 37471 (P); Than Hoa: Phong Y’, M. Poilane 1610 (P); Tuyen Quang: Reserve forestiere de Niu-La, F. Fleury 37961 (F); Vinh Phuc: Ngoc Thanh, Me Linh, Phuong 4647 (2 sheets, HN).

Liquidambar formosana, commonly known as the Formosan gum, Chinese sweet gum and Formosa sweet gum, is a species of tree in the family Altingiaceae native to East Asia.