western sycamore

Platanus racemosa

The western sycamore is a tall tree with big, broad leaves and unique, peeling bark. It grows near rivers and provides shade for animals and people alike.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The western sycamore has striking camouflage bark, a mottled mix of white, green, and brown, that peels away in irregular patches. Its large, maple-like leaves have deep lobes, and its fruits hang in distinctive fuzzy, globe-shaped clusters. It often grows into a massive, spreading tree.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderProtealesFamilyPlatanaceaeGenusPlatanus

Photo: DowntowngalCC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

western sycamore

Interesting facts

Even when it's just a stump, a western sycamore can sprout many new trunks!

Its leaves can grow enormous, sometimes wider than your head!

The western sycamore’s bark sheds in big sheets, revealing ghostly white patches underneath!

These trees can live for hundreds of years, becoming giants of the forest!

Special abilities

Western sycamore has tough, deep roots that allow it to firmly anchor itself, helping it survive powerful floods.

Western sycamore's peeling bark creates a striking pattern, which helps it blend in with the dappled light in forests.

Western sycamore can disperse its fuzzy seed balls widely, allowing new trees to sprout easily in various spots.

Measurements & details

Height: 1500-3000 cm
Spread: 1000-2000 cm
Bloom Season: Spring
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Wind

Ecological connections

Eats

Western Gray Squirrel

Sciurus griseus

forages for fallen seeds and nuts.

Shelter

Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

nests in its natural tree hollows.

Shelter

Hooded Oriole

Icterus cucullatus

builds hanging nests from its leaves.

Eats

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

browses on its young leaves and twigs.

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

Timber

Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Stay on paths and don't climb too high in trees without an adult.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify western sycamore?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is western sycamore?

1500-3000 cm

How wide does western sycamore spread?

1000-2000 cm

When does western sycamore bloom?

Spring

Is western sycamore edible?

Is western sycamore toxic?

None

What is western sycamore's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is western sycamore pollinated?