Liquidambar formosana
Sweet gum
Liquidambar formosana, commonly known as the Formosan sweetgum, is a versatile medicinal plant prized in traditional healing. Renowned for its aromatic resin, it possesses potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Historically used to treat skin ailments and respiratory issues, this species remains a significant subject in modern ethnobotanical research.
- Scientific name: Liquidambar formosana
- Family: Altingiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Saxifragales and the family Altingiaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Liquidambar.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Saxifragales | WCVP |
| Family | Altingiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Liquidambar | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Liquidambar formosana, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Chinese, it is known as 枫香树 (zh-hans), 楓香樹 (zh-hant), and 楓香樹 (zh-hk). In Japan, it is called フウ (ja), while in Vietnam, its common name is Cây sau sau (vi).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 枫香树 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 楓香樹 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 楓香樹 | Wikidata |
| ja | フウ | Wikidata |
| vi | Cây sau sau | Wikidata |
| zh | 枫香树 | Wikidata |
| fa | شیرینژد چینی | Wikidata |
| ru | Ликвидамбар формозский | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 楓香樹 | Wikidata |
| he | ליקוידמבר מפואר | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several distinct regions of East Asia. Within China, its presence is widely documented across the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. It can also be found growing on the tropical island of Hainan. Beyond the Chinese mainland, the species extends its reach into the Korean Peninsula. Collectively, these locations define its specific ecological footprint throughout the Eastern Asian landscape.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as Liquidambar formosana, is characterized by its distinctive reproductive structures, specifically its fruits. These fruits are typically produced in dense, woody, cone-like aggregate structures that hang from the branches. Each individual fruit within the cluster is a small, dry capsule that eventually dehisces to release seeds, playing a vital role in the plant's reproductive cycle and contributing to its overall botanical profile.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Liquidambar formosana has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include alpha-amyrin, beta-sitosterol, betulonic acid, oleanonic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| alpha-amyrin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-sitosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| betulonic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleanonic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Liquidambar formosana has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Crohn's disease, diarrhea, dysentery.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Crohn's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |