LKiUIDAMIlAU — SWKKT GUM TIIKi:. 



14' 



treeH, with elevated corky ritlf:fPH. Leaves roumlod in f^'oneral outline, 

 deeply 5- to T-lobed, Hinootli and Hhininf,', j^'lundular-sciTntc, the lobes 

 pointed. They become deep criiiison in autumn, and thus give the tree a 



Fia. 128.— lilquiJambnr Rtyraciflun. 



strikingly beautiful appearance. The flowers are produced in Ajiril, tlio 

 fruit maturing in autunui and ])ersisting upon tli(; tree until late in the 

 season. 



AVhen wounded the bark exudes a sweetish, resinous gum resembling 

 storax, and possessing similar pi'operties. Storax itself is produced by an 

 exotic species of the same genus, Liquidamhar orioi/nlis Miller. 



Habitat. — In moist woods from Connecticut to Illinois and southward. 



]\irt Used. — Tlie gum — not ofHc-ial. 



CouKtitnnit.^. — Sweet gum, as it exudes, is a 

 thick lifpiid of a syrupy consistence, but hardens 

 upon exposure and finally becomes solid. It has 

 a pleasant balsamic odor and a sweetish, bal- 

 samic taste, followed by a sensation of pungency. 

 It contains cinnamic arid, .''ti/rnci)!, and an aro- 

 matic oily hydro-carbon having the properties of 

 H]irol. These are the essential constituents of 

 storax also. 



Preparation^^. — None ai'e official. A syrup of 

 sweet gum, prepared according to the official 

 formula for syrup of tolu, is said to be an eligi- 

 ble preparation. 



Medical Propertie.'i and Uses. — Like storax, sweet gum is used chiefly in 

 catarrhal aft'cctions, especially those of the respiratory and urinary raucous 



Fig. 129.- 



Liniiiciiimbur Styriicifliia 

 (Truit). 



