American Sweet Gum, also known as Liquidambar styraciflua, is a deciduous tree that is commonly grown for its beautiful fall foliage, hard wood, and medicinal uses. It is native to the eastern regions of North America, where it is called by many different names depending on the area. Some of its synonyms include Red Gum, Star-leaved Gum, Sweet Gum, Florida Gum, Slick Gum, Bilsted, Alligator-wood, and simply Gum Tree. The tree can grow up to 80 feet tall and is known for its spiky, round, and woody fruit pods that often fall to the ground. Overall, American Sweet Gum is a unique and valuable species that has inspired many different names over the years.