2654.000 Liriodendron L.

Trees, deciduous, pith diaphragmed. Stipules tardily deciduous on summer shoots, free. Leaves distinctly alternate; lamina evenly (2-)4-6(-10)-lobed, base rounded to shallowly cordate, apex broadly truncate or notched, adaxially lustrous, smooth, abaxially glaucous. Flowers protogynous appearing with the leaves; tepals (7-)9, petaloid, tip recurved, greenish-yellow with orange feathered band or blotch near base, outermost tepals sepaloid, reflexed, green. Fruit syncarps, elongated, spindle-shaped, cone-like, dry, indehiscent, with samaras deciduous. Seeds adherent to dry endocarp.

Derivation of name: from Greek: leirion, meaning a lily and dendron, a tree, perhaps referring to the flowers which resemble lilies

Worldwide: 2 species in North America and East Asia.

Zimbabwe: 1 cultivated taxon.