Platanus mexicana
Common name: 
Mexican Sycamore
Pronunciation: 
PLAT-an-us MEX-si-kana
Family: 
Platanaceae
Genus: 
Platanus
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf deciduous tree, fast growing, may reach a height of 50(80) ft [15(25) m], upright rounded crown.  Bark is silvery-gray and smooth. Leaves alternate, simple, to 20 cm wide, mostly with 5 pointed lobes, margin entire, glossy green upper surface, lower surface covered with an off-white tomentose (short wooly hairs).  Fruit is more or less spherical, 3.5 cm diam., rough, tawny haired, 1 or 2 per fruit stalk (peduncle).
  • Full sun, is adapted to most soils, including alkaline soils; drought tolerant but irrigate until established.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 8        Native range extends from northeast Mexico to northern Guatemala; often found in wetland areas and near rivers.
  • mexicana: of Mexico
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • leaves and a fruit

    leaves and a fruit

  • leaf, upper surface

    leaf, upper surface

  • leaf, lower surface

    leaf, lower surface

  • trunk, bark

    trunk, bark