Hamamelidaceae
(Witch-hazel Family)
[Grk name = together + apple, in reference
to flower &
fruit being
present at same time]
26 Genera
100 species (2 on campus)
I. Leaves
A. Alternate
B. Simple
C. Stipulate
II. Flowers
A. Perfect Hamamelis
B. Imperfect (monoecious) Liquidambar
III. Fruit
A. Two celled capsule
1. single Hamamelis
2. multiple
Liquidambar
IV. Economic importance
A. Hamamelis bark & twigs source of rubbing
lotion ingredient
B. Liquidambar important hardwood lumber in
S. USA
C. Liquidambar used in S. USA in paper pulp
industry
D. L. orientalis (Asia) source of storax =
balsam
used in soaps,
perfumes, pharmaceuticals.
V. Range
A. SE USA, Mexico, C. America; S. Africa,
Asia, Australia
midway between
tropic and temperate latitudes
Hamamelis virginiana (Witch-hazel)
A. Broadly elliptical leaves with irregularly
and coursely
repand margins
B. Two small scales subtend "naked" tawny
bud
C. Fall flowers with yellow strap-like petals
D. Spiny brownish-black capsule forcible ejects
seeds
up to 6 meters!
Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum,
Redgum) Sylvics
[Latin = "liquidus" = fluid + Arabic = amber
in reference
to fragrant
resen from bark of L. orientalis]
[Resin(styrax)-flowing]
A. Star shaped leaves with serrate margins
B. Aromatic green / yellow brown twigs with
lammas shoots
C. Globose multiple of capsules
D. Narrow, rounded, flaky ridges separated
by deep furrows
grayish-brown
barkArtificial Group Floriferae Polypetalae Subclass Hamamilidae
Platanaceae
(American Sycamore, Planetree Family)
[Grk name]
1 Genus
6,7 species (1 on campus)
I. Leaves
A. Alternate
B. Simple
C. 3-7 palmately lobed with big teeth
D. Palmate venation
E. Foliaceous Stipules
II. Flowers
A. Imperfect (monoecious)
III. Fruit
A. Multiple globose head of elongate achenes
1. Single Platunus
occidentalis (OT,
Sylvics)
2. 3-7 P. orientalis
3. 2-3 P. acerifolia
(London planetree)
P. occidentalis X orientalis
IV. Bark
A. Intermediate age scales off in large puzzle
shape
plates revealing
green/creamy white inner bark
B. Old bark brown & scaly
V. Economic importance
A. Lumber & veneer for boxes, crates,
furniture
B. Wood pulp (vigorous coppice growth)
C. Hearty city street tree
VI. Range
A. Temperate regions of N. hemisphere; Mexico;
India
Artificial Group Floriferae Polypetalae Subclass Rosidae
Cornaceae
(Dogwood Family)
15 Genera (2 on campus)
120 species
I. Leaves
A. Simple
B. Estipulate
C. Opposite (most Cornus); Alternate (Nyssa)
II. Flowers
A. Perfect, 4-merous (Cornus)
B. Imperfect, polygamo-dioecious (Nyssa)
III. Fruit
A. Drupe
IV. Economic Importance
A. Ornamental (Cornus)
B. Plywood veneer & wood pulp, especially
in
S. coastal plains
USA (Nyssa)
V. Range
A. Eastern N. America & mountains of N.
Mexico
Generic/species comparison
I. Cornus (Dogwoods)
[Ancient L name for cornelian cherry]
A. Homogeneous Pith
B. Arcuate veins
C. Cornus
florida (Flowering Dogwood) (OT,
Sylvics)
1. Lateral buds
hidden by petioles
2. Knob shaped
flower buds
D. Cornus
mas (Cornelian Cherry)
1. Lateral buds
evident
2. Top shaped
flower buds
II. Nyssa (Tupelo)
[Water nymph]
A. Diaphragmed Pith
B. Parallel straight veins
C. Nyssa
sylvatica (Black Tupelo, Blackgum, Sourgum) Sylvics
[of the forest]
1. 5-13 cm obovate
leaves
2. Alligator
hide bark