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Home → Publications → Tree Planters' Notes → Tree Planters' Notes Volume 54, Number 1 (2011) → Seed Maturation, Flower Receptivity, and Selfing in Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.)

Seed Maturation, Flower Receptivity, and Selfing in Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.)

Tauer, P. K. and Tauer, C. G. Tree Planters' Notes 54(1):18-23. 2011.

We evaluated sweetgum trees at two Oklahoma locations to determine when their seed matured, when female flower receptivity peaked, and if they would self-pollinate. Sweetgum seed reached full maturity by the second week of November, female flowers were receptive within 7 days following emergence from the buds, and receptivity peaked within 2 to 3 weeks. A green dulling to slight yellowing of the seed balls can be indicative of mature seed. Calendar date (e.g., second week of November, depending on latitude) is a better measure of maturity, however, because the color changes can be very subtle. Seed balls may be harvested as early as mid-September with a minimal loss in seed germina-tion. Sweetgum does not easily self-pollinate, if at all.


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Author(s): Charles G. Tauer, Pamela K. Tauer

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Volume 54, Number 1 (2011)

Volume: 54

Number: 1