Tulip tree or lyriodendron belongs to the family of magnoliaceae, and received its Russian name for the similarity of its flowers with tulips . The homeland of this interesting plant is North America, where it is widely distributed in several states. This is one of the largest flowering trees in the world - they reach 25-30 m in height, and in the habitual habitat of growth, the height of individual trees of the lilyodendron tulip can be 60 m, and the trunk diameter - up to 3 m.
Where is the tulip tree located and growing?
An amazing tree is widespread in a number of countries with a temperate climate. In the north it is grown up to Norway, it is not deprived of attention in the countries of the southern hemisphere, such as Argentina, Chile, Peru, South Africa and so on. With the artificial cultivation of wood away from the natural habitat, it does not demonstrate aggression towards other plants growing in close proximity.
Lyriodendron, tulip tree: description
Crowns of young trees have a pyramidal shape, with time it acquires more rounded outlines. The branches of the tree are brown in color and, as it were, covered with a wax reminiscent of wax. If you break them, you can feel a pleasant spicy flavor. The bark of the trunks of young trees is smooth, with a greenish tinge, as the plant grows, it becomes covered with irregularities, roughnesses and whitish rhomboid strips.
The leaves of the lyriodendron are massive and broad, reaching a length of 12-20 cm. In spring and summer, their color varies from light green to more saturated shades of greenery, but in autumn they acquire an intense golden hue.
Flowers, reminiscent of tulips, actually gave the tree its name, as already mentioned above. In length, they average 6 cm, petals of white or green, the corolla is yellow, which produces a pleasant sweet aroma. The flowers are arranged singly at the tips of the branches. At home in North America, the lyriodendron is considered to be one of the most honey plants.
Tulip tree: when blooms?
The lyricendron blooms in the summer, around the middle of June. As for the age of the tree, the flowering begins at about 25 years of plant life, occasionally the flowers can appear for 6-7 years after planting.
Features of cultivation of lyriodendron - tulip tree
The lyriodendron multiplies by seeds, which are obtained from pineal fruits growing from the ovaries after flowering. However, the seeds quickly lose their germination, so only freshly harvested seeds should be sown, not later than 2-3 days after harvesting the planting material.
Young trees can be propagated and layers that should be separated from the tree within two years. If it is a matter of preserving varietal material, seedlings can be planted on the planting material.
Due to the size, the tulip tree is not grown in small gardens, as it requires a lot of free space for full growth and development. The plant is very photophilous, it is no less exacting to the soil. The best thing
In the new place the tulip tree takes root long enough, but practically without any problems. It is completely frost-resistant and perfectly tolerates even the harsh winters characteristic of the middle belt.
It is noteworthy that in the United States this tree is not of decorative, but mainly industrial importance, because its wood is light, durable and easy to process.
Another similar plant, an African tulip tree, is called a spathode .