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What is another name for a plane tree?

Published in Tree Common Names 1 min read

Another common name for a plane tree is sycamore.

Trees belonging to the genus Platanus are widely known as both plane trees and sycamore trees, with the terms often used interchangeably, particularly for different species within the genus.

Understanding Plane Trees and Sycamores

The *Platanus* genus encompasses several large deciduous trees native to the Northern Hemisphere. While "plane" is a widely accepted common name, especially for species like the Oriental plane, many species are also commonly referred to as sycamores, reflecting their close botanical relationship and similar characteristics.

Common Species and Their Names

The table below highlights some specific *Platanus* species and their commonly used names, demonstrating the interchangeable use of "plane" and "sycamore":
Botanical Name Common Names
Platanus occidentalis L. American sycamore, American plane, buttonwood, occidental plane, water beech
Platanus rzedowskii Rzedowski's plane, Rzedowskii's sycamore
Platanus orientalis L. Oriental plane

As seen, species such as Platanus occidentalis are known by multiple names, including "American sycamore" and "American plane," while Platanus rzedowskii is recognized as both "Rzedowski's plane" and "Rzedowskii's sycamore." This illustrates that "sycamore" serves as a principal alternative name for trees typically identified as plane trees.