G. 80] CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION 1389 
ORDER XXXVII. PLATANACEZ. 
(PLANE-TREE F'AMILy.) 
A very small order, containing but one genus: 
Genus 80. PLATANUS. 
Trees with alternate, simple, large, palmately lobed 
leaves. The base of the petiole is hollowed to cover the 
bud. Flowers inconspicuous; in early spring. Fruit a 
large, dry ball, hanging on a long peduncle, and remain. 
ing on the tree through the winter. Large tree with 
white bark separating into thin, brittle plates. 
1. Pl4tanus occidentalis, L. (AMERI- 
CAN SYCAMORE. BUTTONWOOD.) Leaves 
large (6 to 10 in. broad), roundish heart- 
shaped, angularly sinuate-lobed, the 
short lobes sharp-pointed, scurfy-downy 
till old. Fruit globular, solitary, 1 in. 
in diameter, hanging on long, 4-in. pe- 
duncles; remaining on the tree through 
the winter. A large, well-known tree, 
80 to 100 ft. high; found on river-banks 
throughout ; also cultivated. Wood 
brownish, coarse-grained; it cannot be 
split, and is very difficult to smooth. The P. occidentalis. 
marking of the grain on the quar. 
tered lumber is very beautiful. 
2. Pldtanus orientalis, L. (OR1- 
ENTAL PLANE.) Leaves more deeply 
cut, smaller, and sooner smooth than 
those of the American Sycamore. 
Fruit frequently clustered on the pe- 
duneles. This tree is similar to the 
American’ Sycamore, and in many 
P. orientalis ways better for cultivation. 
