Buttonwood, American sycamore, American Planetree, Sycamore, American Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

Physical Characteristics

Platanus occidentalis is a deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 30 m (98ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from October to March. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - New England to Florida, west to Texas and Nebraska.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Sap Edible Uses: Sweetener The sweet sap is tapped in the spring and used in the preparation of syrup and sugar[105, 177, 183].

Medicinal Uses

Antirheumatic Astringent Diuretic Dysentery Emetic Laxative Poultice Salve The inner bark is astringent, diuretic, emetic and laxative[222]. It has been used as a tea in the treatment of dysentery, coughs, colds, lung ailments, haemorrhages, measles, milky and difficult urination etc and also as a blood tonic[222, 257]. Externally, it has been used as a wash on wounds[257]. An infusion of the bark and roots has been used as a foot soak for treating rheumatism[257]. The bark ooze has been used as a wash on infected sores and an infusion has been given in the treatment of infant rash[257]. An infusion of the bark, mixed with honey locust bark (Gleditsia triacanthos), has been used as a gargle to treat hoarseness and sore throat[257].

Known Hazards

In hot dry climates the hairs of the fruits and leaves are believed to cause an effect similar to hay fever[11, 200].