38)+London+Plane

=London Plane=

//Platanus acerifolia// Platanaceae [to the tune of London Bridge] London Plane has achenes Has achenes Has achenes London Plane has achenes And a closed ovary London Plane is deciduous Has simple leaves That are palmate London Plane’s flowers Are indehiscent London Planes can tolerate Pollution And urban streets London Plane’s reproduce Using wind distribution

|| Leaves || || Reproductive Part ||
 * London Plane
 * Bark

Classification:
Angiosperm This means that the plants has seeds in a closed ovary. (Shown above)

Family characteristics:
Meaning that when the leaves reach maturity, they will be shed from the tree. This typically happens in the autumn season, and in the spring, new simple leaves with three points stemming from the center of the leaf will begin to grow again on the tree. In addition, depending on the species, the leaves have 3-9 lobes. Arising on a petiole that is thicker where it attaches to a twig. Rather than arising directly opposite eachother, the leaves sprout in an alternating pattern.
 * Leaves in the //Platanus// family are
 * simple
 * deciduous
 * maple-like in appearance
 * palmate
 * The **bark** of the //Platanus// is typically light in color and smooth/exfoliating in texture.
 * The typical //Platanus// **fruits** are called achenes and are
 * small
 * indehisiscent
 * one-seeded
 * The **flowers** of the //Platanus// family are typically made of clusters of achenes. When they are fertilized, they harden and the seeds are blown away in the wind.
 * //Platanus// family plants are **woody**, not herbaceous
 * Woody plants are defined by the external layers that grow around the xylem and phoelum of the plant. These layers of secondary growth make the plant more sturdy and ensures that it will last through the seasons.

Size:

 * Height**: 20-30 meters
 * Diameter**: 3 meters (on average)

Identifying features:
The London Plane, or //Platanus// //hispanica//, is a deciduous tree that ranges anywhere from 20-25 meters in height and at least 3 meters in diameter. The leaves are often confused for maple leaves because they share a similar shape. Young leaves are textured with fine, stiff hairs that are shed off by the summer season. A fully matured leaf of a London Plane is between 10 and 20 cm long and anywhere from 12 to 25 cm wide. The petiole, or region that attaches the leaf to the branch of the tree can range from 3 to 10 cm. The London plane is easily recognized by the spherical inflorescences or clusters that usually mature, break up and disperse the seeds to the wind. The mature inflorescences have the different sexes of flowers on separate stems. In approximately 6 months, the fruit of these flowers grows to a diameter of 3 cm and possesses clusters of pod-like achenes that are covered hairs that are useful when the seeds are dispersed in the wind. There are two distinct types of bark that are seemingly opposite. You will either find dark brown and rough-textured bark or a light green smooth bark, depending on the season. The London Plane is most often planted in urban and roadside regions because it is very tolerant of pollution and can handle limited root space. Because the London Plane can thrive in a industrial or polluted environment, it is a popular plant in urban and heavily populated regions.

Location/Habitat:

 * Has a high pollution tolerance, and thus is often planted in very urban areas. (i.e. New York, Paris, London etc.)
 * Does not require a lot of space to spread roots
 * Along streets

Water/Sun Requirements:
The London Plane can survive in a hardiness zone of 5 to 8. This means that the temperature that the cold the tree can tolerate can fluxuate between a minimum of -29C (-20F) to a maximum of -7C (20F). Any colder than this, and the tree will have trouble obtaining the resources it needs. Dry climates are not ideal, and the London Plane will do best in This tree is favored in densely urbanized and populated areas because it does not require great amounts of space to spread its roots. London Planes can also grow in sandy, loam, //or// clay soil; making it highly adaptable. It does, however, prefer soil that has a pH ranging from 3.5 to 6.5, so, fairly acidic to moderately neutral. The greatest use for the London Plane is the shade it provides, while still being very tolerant of heavy pruning.

Reproduction:
The most important aid to the spreading of the London Plane seeds is the wind. These monoecious flowers of the London Plane grow in clusters of one to three per stem. The male and female inflorescent clusters grow on separate stems and fertilize eachother. After about 6 months, the flowers mature in to fruit. The clusters of these shriveled and hard fruit are called achenes, and are covered in stiff hairs, which play a role in the success of the wind distribution.

Additional Information:
Threats to the species include:
 * Canker Strains
 * athracnose
 * powdery mildew
 * sycamore lacebug

Sources:
[], Plane Family-Botanical Characteristics [], Plant Identification [] "**London plane tree**." __Encyclopædia Britannica__. 2010. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 26 Apr. 2010 <[]>. Created by: Astrid Major Aune