Sycamore (American Sycamore, Buttonwood, Plane Tree)
Platanus occidentalis · Platanaceae (Plane-tree family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Palmately lobed, approximately 3 to 5 shallow lobes with broad bases
Margin
Coarsely serrate and dentate with shallow sinuses
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Palmate venation with prominent primary veins radiating from the base
Key Features
Large palmately lobed leaves with coarse teeth, zig-zag twigs, enclosed buds hidden within the petiole base, and distinctive camouflage-like exfoliating bark
Description
The American Sycamore is a massive, fast-growing deciduous tree easily recognized by its distinctive mottled, exfoliating bark that peels off in large irregular sheets, revealing greenish-white inner bark. It produces spherical fruit clusters known as buttonballs that hang on slender stalks through the winter.
Habitat
Typically found along streambanks, river floodplains, and rich bottomlands preferring moist, deep soils
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, ranging from Ontario south to Texas and Florida