Single leaf of P. o. Digitata
Oriental plane (form) - click here for more photographs
Bean and other authorities are somewhat uncertain of the status of this tree. Some authorities would place this form in Platanus x acerifolia rather than Platanus orientalis. A form that fits the description Bean provides is distributed commercially under this name.
Single leaf of P. o. Digitata
A reference here suggests that this tree may be a form of the oriental plane native to the Himalayas. If so, it could also be known as P. cashmeriana, P. nepalensis, P. orientalis laciniata. There may be more than one clone in cultivation, in a group of very similar types.
Tree - This forms a dense foliaged tree. It sometimes occurs with contorted branches from low above ground, unless pruned into a tree shape.
Bark - Flakes in typical plane tree fashion.
Shoots and young leaves - The shoot zigzags fairly strongly. Shoots are tinged red when young, later become brown-purple above in late summer, green-brown below. There is less down and finer down than in the common planes. Stipules are usually relatively small, the sheath about 5mm long, the leafy part fairly small. Winter shoots are medium to dark brown, dark coloured compared with other planes.
Leaf shape - This is very distinctive, with long, finger like lobes to the leaves. The lobes distinctly longer and narrower than in normal P. orientalis and the sinuses are never narrowed by teething on the lobes as in some other forms. There are commonly 5 clear lobes, with an additional pair sometimes seen on vigorous midsummer grown leaves. The lobes are always deeply cut, to at least 2/3rds the length of the leaf blade. There are few teeth. Leaf blades are generally up to 25cm long and 25cm across, though a few can be larger still. Petioles are 3 to 5cm long.
Leaf colour - Leaves are a matt dark green above, pale matt green below.
Axillary buds - Buds are dark brown purple, ovoid to conical, if conical with the tip curved away from the shoot, with a distinct point, typically about 4-5 mm across at the base and 7-9 mm long.
Because of the distinctive leaf shape the tree stands out from other commonly seen planes. It was given a Award of Garden Merit, by the RHS in 2002.
The tree grows reasonably fast in London's climate. It would seem likely to become be a fairly dense foliaged tree compared to the London plane, but this will have to judged on older mature trees.
Good specimens; A number of young specimens can be seen in Kensington High Street, to the west of the underground station. Most have been pruned and lifted clear of passing traffic.
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31-Jan-2007