Taxonomy
Clade | angiosperm |
Family | Platanaceae |
Genus | Platanus |
Species | occidentalis |
Common Name | American sycamore |
iTree Code | PLOC |
Plant Form
Form | Tree: tall, large crown |
Height | 100 feet |
Spread | 60 feet |
Deciduous | Yes |
Identification Description
Foliage | lobed (like maple), dark/shiny green, coarse toothed edge, 4-8” wide |
Leaf Type
|
Simple |
Bark | mottled brown/white/green, flaking/patchy & creamy/white smooth underneath |
Bud | false terminal bud, single bud-cap, lateral buds hidden under leaf-stem |
Bud Arrangement
|
Alternate |
Twig | slender, red-brown |
Flower | both male and female on single tree; male- yellow, female-red |
Fruit | round “ball” (achene) of many tightly packed seeds, persists in winter |
Fall Color | brown |
Site Characteristics
USDA Zones
|
pH Levels | Salt Tolerance |
Min | 4a |
Min | 4.9 |
Soil | Intolerant |
Max | 9b |
Max | 6.5 |
Spray | Intolerant |
Shade Tolerance | Drought Tolerance | Allelopathy |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
No |
Species Status
Nebraska Native |
|
U.S. Native |
|
Region of Origin | United States, Mexico |