Plane tree (Platanus)

Family:

plane tree plants (Platanaceae)

Flowering period:

April to May

Distribution:

ornamental tree in parks and streets, popular choice as a shade tree and often planted in cities, main distribution in South East Europe

Appearance:

deciduous to semi-evergreen trees, bark peels off in patches annually, alternate leaf arrangement, deciduous leaf cut deep with narrow, pointed lobes, this form is liable to be confused with certain species of maple, stalked and spherical inflorescences

Important species in Europe:

The three most species planted are:

Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore): predominant distribution in North America, and prefers moist alluvial soils, strong growth performance.

Platanus orientalis (Oriental plane): especially in south-eastern Europe and Asia Minor, most important tree in riparian forests and moist soils in these areas, rare in Central Europe because of frost.

Platanus x hispanica (London plane): preferably fresh and deep soils and is winter hardy, prefers sunny stands, hybrid of P. orientalis and P. occidentalis.

Allergenicity:

except of regions with high pollen load (Spain, south of France) low allergenicity, major allergen Pla a1

Link zum Pollenatlas: Platanus sp.