This 80 foot tall, perennial, deciduous tree is also known as American Sweetgum, Alligator Tree, Satin Walnut, Blisted, Liquidambar, and Red, White, or Starleaf gum. Its star-shaped leaves have a sweet fragrance when crushed, and in the fall turn a brilliant mixture of yellows, oranges, purples, and reds. The fruit is spiky and woody, ripening from green to brown, and persisting through January. This fast-growing tree flourishes in partial shade and moist loams.