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California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
Trees Around Las Vegas, Vegetation Around Las Vegas
California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
California Sycamores in early spring

General: California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa) is a tree that grows in California and is similar to the Arizona Sycamore (Platanus wrightii). California Sycamore grow to become large trees with smooth, distinctive bark that flakes off in irregular, puzzle-like pieces to reveal lighter under-bark. Leaves grow 4-10 inches long and are 3-5 lobed. Lobes are rather narrow, sharply pointed, toothed, and the leaf sinuses reach only halfway to the leaf base. Flowers bloom in globular clusters, and the fruits are a short stalked, spiky ball to about 1/2 inches diameter, in chains of three.

California Sycamore is a fairly common component of vegetation communities in the coastal region from northern California south into Baja California. Scattered populations grow in moist foothill canyons on the west side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to about 4,000 ft.

Don't look for California Sycamore around Las Vegas, rather look for them over on the California coastal region or in the foothills of Sequoia National Park.

Family: Sycamore (Platanaceae)

California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
California Sycamore leaf
California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
Sharply lobed leaf, with leaf sinus reaching about halfway to leaf base
California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
Dark bark flakes off in irregular patches, revealing lighter under-bark
California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
Habitat for California Sycamore in Sequoia National Park
California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
Winter sycamores in Sierra canyon
California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
Winter sycamores in Sierra canyon
California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
Leaf: dorsal surface
California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
Leaf: ventral surface
California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
Fruits hanging in natural position
California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
Fruits
California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
Fruits
more to come
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Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate. Names generally follow the USDA database.
copyright; Last updated 220109

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