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35-621: Platanus racemosa is a species of plane tree known by several common names, including California sycamore , western sycamore , California plane tree , and in North American Spanish aliso . Platanus racemosa is native to California and Baja California , where it grows in riparian areas, canyons , floodplains , at springs and seeps , and along streams and rivers in several types of habitats . It can be found as far north as Tehama and Humboldt counties. This large tree grows to 35 meters (110 ft) in height with

70-559: A frequent motif featured in Classical Chinese poetry as an embodiment of sorrowful sentiments due to its autumnal shedding of leaves. The legendary Dry Tree first recorded by Marco Polo was possibly a platanus. According to the legend, it marked the site of the battle between Alexander the Great and Darius III . The German camouflage pattern Platanenmuster ("plane tree pattern"), designed in 1937–1942 by Johann Georg Otto Schick,

105-482: A habitat for animals like wood ducks . The lack of non-hybridized P. racemosa thus harms the riparian woodlands in which they thrive. Another disease that that the P. racemoa is particularly receptive to is the Fusarium dieback which is carried and passed on through two kinds of invasive ambrosia beetles . Removing the tree itself is one way to prevent the significant harms of Fusarium dieback from spreading but

140-662: A junior synonym of P. lindeniana ANA clade part of the P. racemosa species aggregate PNA-E clade J.-F.Leroy in a strict sense synonymous with P. mexicana var. interior Nixon & Poole, restricted to Guanajuato , Hidalgo , Querétaro and San Luis Potosí , and of hybrid origin s.str: 1–3 ANA clade syn Platanus occidentalis var. lindeniana part of the P. mexicana species aggregate, synonymous with P. mexicana var. mexicana according Nixon & Poole ANA clade junior synonym of P. lindeniana or distinct species ANA clade ANA clade ANA clade ANA clade PNA-E clade PNA-E clade part of

175-463: A light brownish gray to a shade resembling the color sepia. Platanus racemosa is the dominant species in the globally and state endangered sycamore-alluvial woodland habitat. The large palmately lobed leaves may be up to 25 centimetres (9.8 in) centimeters wide and have three or five pointed lobes. New leaves are a bright translucent green and somewhat woolly. The deciduous tree drops copious amounts of dry golden to orangish red leaves in

210-409: A mixture of fungicides such as metconazole combined with an insecticide can additionally reduce the number of ambrosia beetles that transmit this disease. Close monitoring is required in order to prevent a substantial beetle infestation from occurring as that would damage the tree to the point of needing removal. Further hybridization between the P. racemosa and P. x hispanica are a threat to

245-458: A place, and have led to initial suspicion of an attack with an irritant gas. After one such mass attack which affected schoolchildren in classrooms with open windows densely surrounded by plane tees, children had to be admitted to hospital, where they were treated and recovered without ill effects. It was found that the symptoms were due to the fine star-shaped trichomes (hairs) on all parts of platanus trees, which are broken off by strong wind after

280-628: A prolonged dry period. The dust created causes direct irritation and scratchiness in the eyes, throat, and nose, but not the runny nose and itching eyes and nose caused by an allergy . The school incident took place after a dry period, with a fairly high temperature of 29 °C (84 °F), and wind blowing at 50 km/h (31 mph). Protection against platanus cough is provided by avoiding contact and wearing protective glasses and masks under weather conditions promoting release of trichomes. When cleaning in an urban environment, sweeping up fallen leaves and branches can release hairs; cleaning by suction

315-489: A side bud to become the new leader, can create picturesque angling trunks and branches on older specimens. It is also widely planted horticulturally as a landscape tree in public landscapes and private gardens. While it requires some water, and can be grown in lawns, once established it is drought tolerant. New appreciation for how it shades sun in summer and lets sun through in winter has led to its use in green architecture and sustainable design . California sycamore wood

350-517: A trunk diameter of up to one meter (three feet). The height of these trees ranges from 10 to 35 meters (33 to 115 ft). A specimen on the campus of Stanford University has a trunk girth (circumference) of 10.5 feet (3.20 m). The trunk generally divides into two or more large trunks splitting into many branches. The bark is an attractive patchwork of white, tawny beige, pinkish gray, and pale brown. Both older bark and twigs on this plane sycamore become darker with time. The twigs and bark range from

385-592: Is an anthropogenic hybrid ( cultivar ) between the North American P. occidentalis sensu stricto (ANA clade) and the Mediterranean P. orientalis (PNA-E clade). Widely used as a park tree across the Northern Hemisphere, it frequently backcrosses with both its parents. The following are named species of Platanus ; not all are accepted by all authorities: part of P. mexicana species aggregate, probably

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420-454: Is extremely hard and difficult to work, but can still be employed to create a variety of items such as buttons , tobacco boxes, furniture, wooden utensils, and barrels. The form and wide canopy of the species make it an effective shade tree. This western sycamore's shade cools the surrounding bodies of water while simultaneously offering a home for some animals in the humid environment in which it flourishes. Increased human interference has made

455-454: Is particularly popular for this purpose. The American plane is cultivated sometimes for timber and investigations have been made into its use as a biomass crop. The oriental plane is widely used as an ornamental tree, and also has a number of minor medicinal uses. Most significant aspects of cultural history apply to Platanus orientalis in the Old World. The tree is an important part of

490-448: Is preferred. It is not recommended that trees in cities be felled, as they are beneficial; in particular the platanus trichomes act as biofilters for air pollutants. Where there are urban concentrations presenting a risk, seasonal spraying of trees with a solution of apple pectin can prevent the star hair from breaking off. The principal use of these trees is as ornamental trees, especially in urban areas and by roadsides. The London plane

525-408: Is to the other North American species ( P. mexicana sensu lato , including up to four species: P. chiapaensis, P. lindeniana, P. [×] mexicana sensu stricto , P. oaxacana; P. occidentalis s.l. with two [sub]species: P. occidentalis, P. palmeri ; P. rzedowskii ). The two groups form genetically and morphologically distinct evolutionary lineages ( sister clades ), informally called

560-435: The P. racemosa more susceptible to cross-breeding with other Platanus trees. This hybridization with other species like the P. x acerifolia offers the P. racemosa the advantage of resisting fungal diseases , namely the sycamore anthracnose. Interbred California sycamores are less vulnerable to this disease than the original P. racemosa as it harms their wood. However, sycamore anthracnose produces deadwood which creates

595-420: The P. racemosa species aggregate PNA-E clade (syn. P. × acerifolia ( Aiton ) Willd. , P. hybrida Brot. ) hybrid of P. occidentalis and P. orientalis interlineage hybrid Planes are susceptible to plane anthracnose ( Apiognomonia veneta ), a fungal disease that can defoliate the trees in some years. The most severe infections are associated with cold, wet spring weather. P. occidentalis and

630-623: The RNA of the Platanus trees near the Sacramento River reveals that P. racemosa contains genes from P. x hispanica, which consequently demonstrates the increased erasure of the former. Plane tree See text Platanus ( / ˈ p l æ t ə n ə s / PLAT -ən-əss ) is a genus consisting of a small number of tree species native to the Northern Hemisphere . They are

665-478: The larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Phyllonorycter platani and Setaceous Hebrew Character . In the 21st century a disease, commonly known as Massaria disease, has attacked plane trees across Europe. It is caused by the fungus Splanchnonema platani , and causes large lesions on the upper sides of branches. There have been cases of "platanus cough", symptoms of shortness of breath, coughing, and irritated eyes, which may affect several people in

700-439: The base, and the petals are 3–7 and are spatulate . Male and female flowers are separate, but borne on the same plant ( monoecious ). The number of heads in one cluster ( inflorescence ) is indicative of the species (see table below). The male flower has 3–8 stamens ; the female has a superior ovary with 3–7 carpels . Plane trees are wind-pollinated. Male flower-heads fall off after shedding their pollen. After being pollinated,

735-429: The damaging effects of flooding and aid in stabilizing stream banks . Riparian zones are transition zones between an upland terrestrial environment and an aquatic environment. Organisms found in this zone are adapted to periodic flooding. Many not only tolerate it, but require it in order to maintain health and complete their lifestyles. Threats to riparian forests: This article about environmental habitats

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770-420: The fall. The inflorescence is made up of a few spherical flower heads each around a centimeter wide. The female flower heads develop into spherical fruit clusters each made up of many hairy, maroon-red-woolly achenes . Depending on the sex, the inflorescence can either be red, if female, or chartreuse, if male. After the female clusters fertilize, the achenes bear a fruit that breaks apart and scatters just as

805-399: The female flowers become achenes that form an aggregate ball. The fruit is a multiple of achenes (plant systematics, Simpson M. G., 2006). Typically, the core of the ball is 1 cm in diameter and is covered with a net of mesh 1 mm, which can be peeled off. The ball is 2.5–4 cm in diameter and contains several hundred achenes, each of which has a single seed and is conical, with

840-455: The genetic diversity and identity of the former. The disease combatant advantage that the hybrid provides can bring about a decline in the native tree. The ensuing decline and genetic disintegration could not only harm the tree itself, but nesting birds, monarch butterflies , and numerous other small animals that reside or find shelter within the California sycamore's shade. D. Whitlock's study on

875-428: The literary scenery of Plato's dialogue Phaedrus . Because of Plato , the tree also played an important role in the scenery of Cicero's De Oratore . The trees also provided the shade under which Aristotle and Plato's famed philosophical schools were held. Handel 's opera Serse has a famous aria , " Ombra mai fu ", which the title character sings in praise of his favorite plane tree. The plane tree has been

910-551: The other American species are the most susceptible, with P. orientalis the most resistant. The hybrid London plane is intermediate in resistance. Ceratocystis platani , a wilt disease , has become a significant problem in recent years in much of Europe. The North American species are mostly resistant to the disease, with which they probably coevolved, while the Old World species are highly sensitive. Other diseases such as powdery mildew occur frequently, but are of lesser importance. Platanus species are used as food plants by

945-561: The others; recent studies in Mexico have increased the number of accepted species in this subgenus. Within subgenus Platanus , evidence from both chloroplast and nuclear gene sequences suggests that the P. racemosa species complex in Western North America (including P. racemosa , P. gentryi , P. wrightii ) is more closely related to the Eurasian P. orientalis than it

980-422: The point attached downward to the net at the surface of the ball. There is also a tuft of many thin stiff yellow-green bristle fibers attached to the base of each achene. These bristles help in wind dispersion of the fruits as in the dandelion . The leaves are simple and alternate. In the subgenus Platanus they have a palmate outline. The base of the leaf stalk (petiole) is enlarged and completely wraps around

1015-662: The sole living members of the family Platanaceae . All mature members of Platanus are tall, reaching 30–50 m (98–164 ft) in height. The type species of the genus is the Oriental plane Platanus orientalis . All except for P. kerrii are deciduous , and most are found in riparian or other wetland habitats in the wild, though proving drought-tolerant in cultivation. The hybrid London plane ( Platanus × hispanica ) has proved particularly tolerant of urban conditions, and has been widely planted in London and elsewhere across

1050-472: The splitting of an ancestral lineage into two ( Tree of Life metaphor) but also evolutionary anastomoses : hybridization and introgression. The fossil record of leaves and fruit identifiable to Platanus begins in the Paleocene . Despite the geographic separation between North America and Old World, species from these continents will cross readily resulting in fertile hybrids such as the London plane, which

1085-638: The temperate world. They are often known in English as planes or plane trees . A formerly used name that is now rare is plantain tree (not to be confused with other, unrelated, species with the name ). Some North American species are called sycamores (especially Platanus occidentalis ), although the term is also used for several unrelated species of trees . The genus name Platanus comes from Ancient Greek πλάτανος , which referred to Platanus orientalis . The flowers are reduced and are borne in balls (globose heads); 3–7 hairy sepals may be fused at

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1120-448: The tree's pollen does. The tough and coarse-grained wood is difficult to split and work. It has various uses, including acting as a meat preparation block for butchers . Many small birds feed on its fruit, and several mammals eat its twigs and bark. The pollen resulting from the hairs on the leaves and flowers of Western sycamores can be allergens for some people. New leaves are susceptible to anthracnose canker , which, when it causes

1155-411: The young stem bud in its axil. The axillary bud is exposed only after the leaf falls off. The mature bark peels off or exfoliates easily in irregularly shaped patches, producing a mottled, scaly appearance. On old trunks, bark may not flake off, but thickens and cracks instead. There are two subgenera, subgenus Castaneophyllum containing the anomalous P. kerrii , and subgenus Platanus , with all

1190-453: The “ANA clade” (Atlantic North American lineage) and “PNA-E clade” (Pacific North American-European lineage). Both lineages have been affected by reticulate evolutionary processes in the past (ancient or recent hybridization and introgression ): The genus Platanus exemplarily illustrates the concept of a Coral of Life , a species network. Its modern-day species are not only the product of evolutionary dichotomies ( cladogenesis ),

1225-586: Was the first dotted camouflage pattern. Riparian forest The term riparian comes from the Latin word ripa , 'river bank'; technically it only refers to areas adjacent to flowing bodies of water such as rivers, streams, sloughs and estuaries. However, the terms riparian forest and riparian zone have come to include areas adjacent to non-flowing bodies of water such as ponds, lakes, playas and reservoirs. Riparian forests are subject to frequent inundation . Riparian forests help control sediment , reduce

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