Liquidambar

Liquidambar, a genus of handsome trees forming the order Altingiaoeae, related to the planes and willows. They have scattered, petiolate, stipulate, deeply-lobed leaves; monoecious flowers in separate catkins; a two-chambered ovary with many ovules; and broadly-winged seeds. There are three species: L. styraciflua, yielding liquid ambar copal, a medicinal balsam, native to the Southern United States; L. orientate, native to Syria; and L. Altingia, native to Java, both sources of the viscid liquid storax now chiefly used in perfumery. It is opaque, greyish-brown, and of the consistence of honey. Several species have been described as fossils from Tertiary rocks.