SycamorePlantanus occidentalis L.

ClassificationKingdon: PlantaeSubkingdom: TracheobiontaSuperdivision: SpermatophytaDivision: MagnoliophytaClass: MagnoliopsidaSubclass: HamamelidalaeOrder: HamamelidalesFamily: PlatanaceaeGenus: Platanus L.Species: Platanus occidentalis

Shape, Form, TypeSycamore trees are very large and massive

with huge branches. They can reach up to one hundred feet in height.

Figure 1

BarkBark on Sycamores is thin and can be brown,

green, white, or tan. It exfoliates readily and becomes scaly and gray as it ages.

Figure 2

TwigTwigs are an orange-brown, short and wide,

and crooked. The stipule scar surrounds the twig.

Figure 3

LeafLeaves alternate on the twigs, are simple,

and have palmate veins. They have three to five lobes and are generally four to eight inches wide. The margins of the lobes are coarsely toothed.

Figure 4

Bud

Figure 6

The buds of sycamore trees are surrounded by the leaf scars. Lateral buds are a reddish color and are resinous. Terminal buds are not present.

FlowerFlowers look like dense, round clusters of

pollen and are monoecious and imperfect. They are usually a single cluster around many leaves.

Figure 6

FruitThe fruit of sycamores are spherical-shaped

with a three to six inch stalk. Seeds are winged and mature in November and disseminate in late winter.

Figure 7

Habitat and RangeSycamores are generally found in the eastern

half of the United States and east Canada. They usually grow along rivers or streams where the soil is moist and rich.

Figure 8

UsesSycamores are widely planted as shade trees,

especially because they are durable in urban areas.

Figure 10

References Figure References:

Figures 1-4, 6,7: Plantanus occidentalis Fact Sheet. (2010). Retrieved June 23, 2010 from Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/ dendro/ dendrology/ syllabus/ factsheet.cfm?id=36.

Figure 5: Hackney, P., Tyrie, C., McGivern, F., & McCrory, F. (2001). Image Sycamore Flower. Retrieved June 23, 2010 from National Museum of Northern Ireland, The Garden Flora of Northern Ireland: http://www.habitas.org.uk/ gardenflora/ images/ sycamore_flower1.jpg.

Figure 8: Platanus occidentalis. (2010). Retrieved June 23, 2010 from United States Department of Agriculture , Plants Profile: http://plants.usda.gov/ java/ profile?symbol=ploc.

Informational References: Platanus occidentalis. (2010). Retrieved June 23, 2010 from United States

Department of Agriculture , Plants Profile: http://plants.usda.gov/ java/ profile?symbol=ploc.

Plantanus occidentalis Fact Sheet. (2010). Retrieved June 23, 2010 from Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/ dendro/ dendrology/ syllabus/ factsheet.cfm?id=36.