Platanus ( PLAT-ən-əss) is a genus consisting of a small number of tree species. They are 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 the temperate world.
Name
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 term plane derives from the Old French plane, attested from c. 14th century, which in turn derives from Latin platanus, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European plat- (“broad, flat”). The Latin word is related to Greek plátanos (πλάτανος), which is associated with Greek platýs (πλατύς, “broad”), referring to the tree’s broad leaves.
Botany
Trunk of an aged Platanus orientalis, in Trsteno, near Dubrovnik, Croatia
Ripe plane tree fruit
The flowers are reduced and are borne in balls (globose heads); 3–7 hairy sepals may be fused at 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.
