Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

American Sycamore

Photo Credit; Romfh, Peggy, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=46411

Photo Credit: Romfh, Peggy, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=46410

Photo Credit; Romfh, Peggy, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=46409

Photo Credit: Marcus, Joseph A., https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=13086

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map (hover for ecoregion names)

Native Habitat: Woodland

East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain

Maintenance

Prune for shape or to raise canopy

Comments

Fast growing. Striking exfoliating “camouflage” bark. Fruits often persist through December. Attracts songbirds. Habitat notes: Low, moist woods; floodplains; rich bottomlands. Larval Host: Great Purple Hairstreak, Tiger Swallowtail.

Growth Form

Tree

Height

75 to

100 ft

Spread

30 to

50 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

High

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

Red, Yellow, Green, Brown

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Larval Host, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds

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Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Platanus occidentalis var. glabrata

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48, 53.. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PLOC. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Platanus+occidentalis&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=17559&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=19020#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

Native Plant Society of Texas