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Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

Other common name(s):

American Sycamore

Family:

Platanaceae (Planetree Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Eastern Cross Timbers, Limestone Cut Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Semiarid Edwards Bajada
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

75
to
100
ft.

Spread

30
to
50
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

High

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red, Yellow, Green, Brown

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Larval Host, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds

Maintenance

Native habitat: riparian/moist, deep soil conditions. Not very cold tolerant. Prune for shape or to raise canopy. Propagation: Seed.

Comments

Fast growing. Striking peeling bark. Fruits often persist through December. Attracts songbirds. x Larval Host: Great Purple Hairstreak, Tiger Swallowtail.
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.

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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