Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Altingiaceae

Genus:

Liquidambar

Species:

Liquidambar orientalis

USDA Symbol:

LIOR2

Growth Characteristics

Height:

2500 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

mar,apr,may

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fall Color:

orange, red, purple

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Can resprout from the base following fire damage. Historically found in fire-prone Mediterranean wetland margins.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

6.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

native to riverbanks and moist woodlands

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days

Germination Time:

14–42 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination. Fresh seed germinates more reliably than stored seed.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI