The American sweet gum, Liquidambar styraciflua‘Worplesdon’ stands as a brilliant autumnal beacon beside the lake.
The genus Liquidambar occurs in Asia and North America, and contains four species with palmate, lobed, maple-like leaves, which are grown predominantly for their vibrant autumn colour. Belonging to the Altingiaceae (sweet gum family) the greenish-yellow flowers are borne on globose heads, each bearing either male or female flowers. The female flower heads develop to produce spiky fruit clusters. Liquidambar styraciflua occurs in North and South America, where it grows in mountain forests in often damp, and even swampy, conditions, though it will also survive in drier situations. The timber of this species is known as satin walnut, and is used for cabinet-making. The common name, sweet gum, refers to the fragrant, sticky resin produced by the tree. ‘Worplesdon’ is a selection of this variable species, and is tolerant of a range of conditions, and reliably produces intense autumn colour. This form was selected and introduced into cultivation by the George Jackman Nursery of Worplesdon, Surrey in 1968.