Plane Tree (Platanaceae)

ISM Herbarium : Trees : Plane Tree (Platanaceae)

Platanus occidentalis
American sycamore, one of the largest hardwoods in the eastern United States, grows to 100 feet tall and to four feet in diameter in wet soils along the edges of bodies of water, sometimes dominating mixed forests. Its range is across the lower Great Lakes from southwest Maine to Iowa, south to east Texas and across to southern Alabama.
Long-stalked, bright green leaves are four to eight inches wide and long, with three or five pointed lobes. They have wavy edges and three or five main veins from the base. The distinctive bark is whitish, mottled, and peels off. One-inch brown ball fruits are composed of tiny tufted nutlets.

Collection of the Illinois State Museum
ISM Herbarium Sheet #: 8423

ISM Herbarium : Trees : Plane Tree (Platanaceae)

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