164 
mond) and (Meyncke); Gibson (Schneck); Jefferson (J. M. Coul- 
ter) and (Young); Knox (Ridgway) and (Thomas); Kosciusko 
(Coulter) *; Miami (Gorby)**; Monroe (Blatchley); vicinity of New 
Albany (Clapp); Parke (Hobbs); Posey (Schneck); Shelby (Bal- 
lard); Vigo (Blatchley). 
Additional records are: Putnam (Grimes); Clark, Dearborn, De- 
eatur, Floyd, Gibson, Jackson, Posey, Ripley and Scott (Deam). 
Economic uses. Wood heavy, hard, not strong, close-grained, 
inclined to shrink and warp in seasoning, takes a good polish, sap 
wood white, heart wood a rich brown which can be finished to 
imitate walnut or mahogany. In the export trade it is frequently 
referred to as American mahogany or satin walnut. 
Horticultural value. It no doubt would prove to be perfectly 
hardy in at least the southern two-thirds of the State where it 
would be a desirable tree for shade and ornamental purposes. 
When grown in the open it develops a large oval crown, much 
resembling the maple in form and appearance. It is adapted to a 
wet or moist soil, somewhat difficult to transplant, grows rapidly; 
its foliage in summer is a glossy rich green, in autumn turning to 
brown, orange and crimson tints. It is practically free from dis- 
ease and injurious insects. 
PLATANACEZ. Tue Puane Tree Famity. 
PLATANUS. Tue Puane TREE. 
Platanus occidentalis Linneus. Sycamore. Plate 75. Bark 
gray below, grayish-green above, splotched with white, on age sepa- 
rating from the tree in thin, brittle plates; buds when chewed at 
first bitter, followed by a pungent peppery taste; twigs pubescent 
when young, soon glabrous except a ring below the leaf scar, pass- 
ing from a greenish-yellow to gray in color, at each node the 
growth changes direction from 10-25° which gives the twig a zig- 
zag appearance; leaves alternate, broadly ovate in outline, 10-35 cm. 
(4-9 inches) wide, 3-5 lobed, the broad lobes frequently toothed, 
light green, hairy when expanding, soon glabrous except on the 
veins beneath, base of petiole sheathing the axillary buds; flowers 
appearing in May with the leaves in heads on woolly peduncles; 
*From cultivated tree. 
**Probably erroneous or from a cultivated tree. 
