Platanus ×hispanica
London plane tree, London Plane Tree
(c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Judy Gallagher · licence
Family: Platanaceae · Type: Tree · Not Native
Platanus ×hispanica (London plane tree) is a non-native California tree in the Platanaceae family, recognized by (P. racemosa). Key differences in stipule persistence and habitat preference.
London plane tree is a naturalized tree found in the northern Sierra Nevada Foothills, Sacramento Valley, and northern California coastal ranges in cultivated areas and along waterways at elevations of 16 to 155 meters. Flowering from March to May, this tree produces inconspicuous green flowers in rounded heads. Growing to an impressive 12 to 24 meters tall with an erect form, it features a distinctive light gray outer bark that reveals a green-cream inner bark. Its leaves are approximately 11 to 18 centimeters long, roughly round or elliptic in shape, with deciduous stipules up to 2 centimeters long. The tree produces spherical fruit heads 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters wide, with elongated achenes that have persistent basal hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (P. racemosa). Key differences in stipule persistence and habitat preference.
Habitat and range
Habitat: In cultivation, may persist from old homesteads, escapes to waterways
Elevation: 16-155 m
Outside California: possibly escapes cultivation in northern and eastern United States
Bloom period
Platanus ×hispanica blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Acer: Platanus has fuzzy spiky seed balls hanging on strings; Acer has paired winged seeds (helicopters).; vs Quercus: Platanus bark peels in patches showing lighter colors; oak bark stays intact and produces acorns.; vs Liquidambar: Platanus seed balls are fuzzy-spiky; sweetgum balls are hard and spiny like medieval maces.; vs Populus: Platanus leaves are fuzzy when young with peeling bark; Populus leaves are smooth and bark stays intact.; vs Eucalyptus: Platanus has hand-shaped lobed leaves; Eucalyptus has unlobed, often sickle-shaped leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Platanus ×hispanica native to California?
No. Platanus ×hispanica is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Platanus ×hispanica bloom?
Platanus ×hispanica blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Platanus ×hispanica belong to?
Platanus ×hispanica is in the Platanaceae family, genus Platanus.
What habitat does Platanus ×hispanica grow in?
Platanus ×hispanica grows in In cultivation, may persist from old homesteads, escapes to waterways.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.