Liriodendron × sinoamericanum

Liriodendron × sinoamericanum is an artificial hybrid of Liriodendron chinense and Liriodendron tulipifera^[1] in the family Magnoliaceae.^[2]

Liriodendron × sinoamericanum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Magnoliids
Order:	Magnoliales
Family:	Magnoliaceae
Genus:	Liriodendron
Species:	L. × sinoamericanum
Binomial name
Liriodendron × sinoamericanum P.C.Yieh ex C.B.Shang & Zhang R.Wang[1]

Description

Liriodendron × sinoamericanum flower

Leaf

Fruit

Liriodendron × sinoamericanum twig with leaves

Parent species of L. × sinoamericanum

Liriodendron tulipifera

Liriodendron chinense

Vegetative characteristics

Liriodendron × sinoamericanum is a large, 30 m tall (or taller),^[3] deciduous tree^[4] with grey-brown bark.^[3] The leaf is 6–20 cm long, and 6–23 cm wide. The petiole is 5–18 cm long.^[5]

Generative characteristics

The bisexual, cup-shaped, nectariferous flowers have 9 tepals. The three outer tepals are green, while the inner 6 tepals are orange.^[3]

Cytology

Tetraploid plants have been created.^[6]

Taxonomy

It was described by Chih Bei Shang and Zhang Rong Wang based on previous work by Pei Chong Yieh in 2012.^[3][7] The type specimen was collected by Z. R.Wang. It was a cultivated tree in the campus of the Nanjing Forestry University.^[7]

Etymology

The hybrid name sinoamericanum from sino- meaning Chinese^[8] and -americanum meaning American^[9] means chinese-american.

Conservation

In China, Liriodendron × sinoamericanum may pose a threat to the endangered species Liriodendron chinense, due to hybridisation.^[5][10]

Cultivation

It can be grown in well-drained soils,^[2] but it does not grow well in poorly drained soils.^[3] Due to heterosis, it grows more vigorously than the parent species.^[6] It is widely cultivated in China,^[11] but it hasn't been commercialised elsewhere.^[12]

Use

It is suitable for producing paper and furniture.^[3][6]