The plant around us. Volume 1 The plant around us. Volume I | Page 6

Acer pseudoplatanus English: Sycamore Spanish: Arce blanco Flowers Unisexual flowers, small, yellowish, in long clusters and pendulums. They produce copious amounts of pollen and nectar that are attractive to insects. Large tree that reaches 30 m. The bark is grey, smooth when young and later flaking in irregular patches. In its native range, the sycamore is associated with a biodiverse range of invertebrates and fungi, but these are not always present in areas to which it has been introduced. It is sometimes planted in urban areas for its value as an amenity tree. Leaves The leaves have a long, reddish petiole. The limbus presents 5 very acute lobes, the 3 major centrals and the 2 lateral. The margin is covered by spaced and acuminate teeth. Acer and Platanus differ in the position in which leaves are attached to the stem (alternate in Platanus, paired or opposite in Acer) Fruit The fruits are paired winged seeds or samaras, the seeds 5 to 10 mm in diameter, each with a wing 20 to 40 mm long developed as an extension of the ovary wall.