Platanus orientalis
Oriental Plane
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Platanus genus in the family Platanaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Platanaceae
- Genus
- Platanus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 30 m
- Spread
- 30 m
- Flower type
- monoecious
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
In hot dry climates the hairs of the fruits and leaves are believed to cause an effect similar to hay fever[2][5].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are astringent and vulnerary[9]. The fresh leaves are bruised and applied to the eyes in the treatment of ophthalmia[6]. A decoction is used to treat dysentery and a cream made from the leaves is used to heal wounds and chilblains[9]. The leaves are harvested in the spring and summer and can be dried for later use[9]. The bark is boiled in vinegar and then used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, hernias and toothache[6].
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Vulnerary
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A fabric dye is obtained from the branches and roots[9]. The colour is not given[K]. Wood - tough, difficult to split, not durable. It is not esteemed for carpentry, but has certain advantages in cabinet making[9], it is also used for inlay work and wood pulp[7][8][12].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy
Environment
- Range
- S.E. Europe to W. Asia.
- Habitat
- By rivers in forests in the hills[12].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerances
- high wind, drought
- Wind
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - two months cold stratification improves germination[3]. Sow spring in a cold frame in light shade[10][13]. Home grown seed is often of poor quality and low viability. It is best to harvest the seed in late winter or spring and then sow it immediately in a cold frame[11]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of mature wood of the current years growth, 20 - 30 cm with a heel, autumn in a cold frame[1]. Easy[5]. Layering of stools in spring or autumn. Takes 12 months[10].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a sunny position in a deep fertile well-drained soil[4]. A fast growing species, established plants are drought tolerant[5]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and compacted soils[5]. This species is hardy in most areas of Britain but the trees do not do well in northern parts of the country, requiring hotter summers than are normally experienced there[13]. A very ornamental and very long lived tree[1]. It is immune to 'Plane tree wilt' fungus[2]. Very tolerant of root disturbance, trees up to 5 metres tall can be moved quite easily[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6
Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1
Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.