Tso Kung Tam Outdoor Recreation Centre – Eco-trail

 

Spot 11 – Sweet Gum and Tutcher's Maple

Introduction

Sweet Gum and Tutcher's Maple resemble each other, and the leaves of both would turn red in winter. However, they are unrelated species in plant taxonomy. Scientific name of Sweet Gum is Liquidambar formosana. It belongs to the family Hamamelidaceae; leaves are tri-lobed; leaf margin is finely toothed; fruits are globular capsule. It is widely distributed in Hong Kong, even often planted in gardens. Scientific name of Tutcher's Maple is Acer tutcheri. It belongs to the family Aceraceae. Leaves are tri-lobed to penta-lobed; leaf margin is more coarsely toothed; fruits are winged nutlet. It is narrowly distributed in Hong Kong, and is only recorded on a few hilltops. The maple leaf of the Canada emblem belongs to the family Aceraceae.

Photos

Leaves of Sweet Gum	Leaves of Tutcher's Maple

Information and photos are provided by Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre

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