/grows%20to%2080%20ft.%20tall%20Fullerton%20Arboretum,%20Fullerton,%20CA.%20%20%205-02-09%20228.jpg) The tallest tree in its native habitat, growing to 80 ft. tall. Common in washes, canyons and stream beds at lower to moderate elevations in San Joaquin Hills, mountain foothills and Santa Ana Mountains. Trees live more than 200 years. Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, CA. 5-02-09. © Joan Avise |
Platanus racemosa A 30-80 ft. native deciduous tree with wide spreading branches and large forked trunk with exfoliating bark that exposes greenish and whitish areas giving a mottled appearance. Larvae of the Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly Papilio rutulus feed on the leaves of this species among other broad-leaved trees. The clear-winged sycamore borer moth (Synanthedon resplendens) tunnels into the lining of the tree and limbs causing roughness on the lower portion of the trunk. Sycamore blight fungus (Apiognomonia veneta) attacks new growth in spring but does not cause significant damage.Platanaceae Back to Platanaceae of Orange County, California |
/DSC_0599b.jpg) Host to Big-leaf Mistletoe, Phoradendron serotinum ssp. macrophyllum, James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 2-23-12. © Peter J. Bryant |
 Acer macrophylum and Platanus racemosa, Harding Cyn., 12-16-12. © Ron Vanderhoff. |
/5-lobed%2010%20in.%20diameter%20leaves,%20wooly%20when%20young%20Fullerton%20Arboretum,%20Fullerton,%20CA.%20%205-02-09%20229.jpg) 5-lobed 10 in. diameter leaves, woolly when young. Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, CA. 5-02-09. © Joan Avise |
/mottled%20upper%20limb%20Santiago%20Park,%20Santa%20Ana,%20CA.%2011-20-11%20086.jpg) Mottled upper limb. Santiago Park, Santa Ana, CA. 11-20-11. © Joan Avise |
/female%20fruits%20form%20on%20older%20branches%204-11-09%20051.jpg) Unisexual flowers occur in strings of dangling spherical balls. Both sexes are found on the same tree (monoecious). Female fruits form on older branches. Many small birds feed on the fruit. 4-11-09. © Joan Avise |
/dangling%20flower%20clusters;%20male%20flowers%20on%20new%20twigs%20San%20Joaquin%20Wildlife%20Sanctuary%204-11-09%20047.jpg) Dangling flower clusters; male flowers on new twigs. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Irvine, Orange County, CA. 4-11-09. © Joan Avise |
/DSC_1633b.jpg) Female and male flowers form on the same plant. San Mateo campground, Orange County, CA. 2-24-12. © Peter J. Bryant |
/DSC_1619b.jpg) Male flowers. San Mateo campground, Orange County, CA. 2-24-12. © Peter J. Bryant |
/DSC_1630b.jpg) Female flowers. San Mateo campground, Orange County, CA. 2-24-12. © Peter J. Bryant |
/DSC_1627d.jpg) Stigmata on female flower, which has no petals and is wind-pollinated. San Mateo campground, Orange County, CA. 2-24-12. © Peter J. Bryant |
/DSC_1627b.jpg) Female flowers. San Mateo campground, Orange County, CA. 2-24-12. © Peter J. Bryant |
/maturing%20fruit%20Santiago%20Park,%20Santa%20Ana,%20CA.%2011-20-11%20077.jpg) Maturing fruit. Santiago Park, Santa Ana, CA. 11-20-11. © Joan Avise |
/boring%20insect%20damage,%20holes%20with%20frass,%20darkened%20rough%20bark%20near%20tree%20base%20Santiago%20Park,%20Santa%20Ana,%20CA.%2011-20-11%20122.jpg) Boring insect damage, holes with frass, darkened rough bark near tree base. Santiago Park, Santa Ana, CA. 11-20-11. © Joan Avise |
/boring%20insect%20holes,%20trunk%20base%20Santiago%20Park,%20Santa%20Ana%20,%20CA.%2011-20-11%20085.jpg) Boring insect holes, trunk base Santiago Park, Santa Ana , CA. 11-20-11. © Joan Avise |
/young%20sapling%20in%20wash;%20leafy%20stipules%20almost%20encircle%20branch%20Santiago%20Oaks%20Regional%20Park,%20Orange,%20CA.%207-3-11%20026.jpg) Young sapling in wash; leafy stipules almost encircle branch. Leaves form within the bases of existing leaf stalks. When a dry leaf falls, a new bud appears in its place. Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange, CA. 7-3-11. © Joan Avise |
/DSC_1637b.jpg) Leaf. San Mateo campground, Orange County, CA. 2-24-12. © Peter J. Bryant |
 Camino Capistrano nr. Calle Bonita, 6-30-13. © Ron Vanderhoff. |