Liriodendron tulipifera - L.

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Summary

Bloom Color: Green, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Rounded.

Physical Characteristics

Synonyms

Tulipifera liriodendron.

Habitats

Canopy;  Woodland Garden.

Deep rich rather moist soils on mountain slopes and by streams[82]. Rich woodlands, bluffs, low mountains, and hills from sea level to 1500 metres[270].

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment.

The root is used as a lemon-like flavouring in spruce beer, where it also serves to correct the bitterness of the beer[2]. The bark of the root and branches have a pleasant rather pungent scent[11].

Medicinal Uses

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Anthelmintic;  Aphrodisiac;  Cardiac;  Diuretic;  Nervine;  Poultice;  Tonic.

The intensely acrid bitter inner bark, especially of the roots, is used domestically as a diuretic, tonic and stimulant[82, 213]. The raw green bark is also chewed as an aphrodisiac[222, 257]. The bark contains 'tulipiferine', which is said to exert powerful effects on the heart and nervous system[46, 61, 213]. A tea is used in the treatment of indigestion, dysentery, rheumatism, coughs, fevers etc[222, 257]. Externally, the tea is used as a wash and a poultice on wounds and boils[257]. The root bark and the seeds have both been used to expel worms from the body[213, 257].

Other Uses

Dye;  Wood.

A gold-coloured dye is obtained from the bark[106]. Wood - fine grained, soft, light, easily worked, durable, brittle, not strong but does not split. A valuable timber, it weighs 26lb per cubic foot and is much used for interior finishes, furniture, construction and plywood[11, 46, 61, 171, 229, 235]. Native north americans used the tree for making canoes[270].

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Pest tolerant, Aggressive surface roots possible, Pollard, Specimen. Requires a deep rich soil[11, 43, 200] and a sheltered but not overshadowed position[1]. Prefers a slightly acid soil[188]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[188]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is fast-growing and moderately long-lived in its native range[229]. Flowers are first produced when the tree is about 15 - 20 years old[229]. Liriodendron tulipifera is the state tree of both Indiana and Tennessee[270]. Intolerant of root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots and placed into their final positions as soon as possible. Any transplanting is best done in May[11]. Trees flower best in regions with long hot summers[200]. Plants are particularly susceptible to attacks by rabbits and hares[200]. The flowers produce considerable nectar, making this a good bee plant[21, 229]. Cultivated for its wood in Europe50]. Special Features:North American native, Attracts butterflies, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady place in a cold frame[80, 113, 200]. Stored seed requires 3 weeks warm then 12 weeks cold stratification[80, 113]. Germination is usually poor, only about 1% of the seed is viable[80]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[78]. Layering in spring. Do not sever from the parent plant for 2 years[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

11200270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Apr 29 2016 12:00AM We had 2 of these trees in central Illinois. Their summer shade kept our house cool. Very pretty tree and fast growing. QR Code What's this? This is a QR code (short for Quick Response) which gives fast-track access to our website pages. QR Codes are barcodes that can be read by mobile phone (smartphone) cameras. This QR Code is unique to this page. All plant pages have their own unique code. For more information about QR Codes click here. 1. Copy and print the QR code to a plant label, poster, book, website, magazines, newspaper etc and even t-shirts. 2. Smartphone users scan the QR Code which automatically takes them to the webpage the QR Code came from. 3. Smartphone users quickly have information on a plant directly for the pfaf.org website on their phone.

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