Plane trees of London
Planes - other types |
This page lists and briefly describes some named distinct forms that do not appear to be in cultivation in London.
This tree is offered for sale in the US. It is said to be particularly resistant to plane tree anthracnose. Trees are not known of in London, but young specimens have been seen the Hillier Arboretum.
This plant, which as far as I know is represented by one labelled specimen tree at the Cambridge Botanic Garden (in the group with the other planes), does not appear to be significantly distinct from other forms of P. x acerifolia.
An US raised variety (Frank Santamour, 1968/1970), which was raised from a deliberate cross between the oriental and western planes. It is said to be resistant to anthracnose diseases. Some councils have planted these trees on roadsides.
A smaller form with a globular crown. This is commercially available in continental Europe.
This cultivar is known for its distinct purplish colour in later summer and autumn. It is available in continental Europe.
This species is from Indochina. It is placed in separate subsection of the genus from all the other planes. The most noticeable distinction is its entire, pinnately veined leaves. Presumably, as a tropical species, no attempt has ever been made to cultivate it in Britain.
A brief article is present at Wikipedia. Copied from an older edition of Flora of China, described from Laos and also recorded from several places in N. Vietnam"...the stipules are very small, the petiole base does not encloes the axillary bud, the leaf blade is long elliptic and pinnately veined, with an entire margin, and the fruiting branchlets each have 8-12 rather small infructescences."
See Platanus mexicana.
The status of this form is not clear, and the name is invalid according to Bean. It may well be a synonym of P. orientalis 'Digitata'. A plant is however offered under this name by some nurseries in Britain.
May be a lost cultivar, photographs suggest that leaves resembles the commonly available cultivars 'Digitata' and 'Majestic'.
This is said to be a slow growing or dwarf form with bronzed foliage. The European Garden Flora lists this cultivar as a form of P. x acerifolia, and other sources as a cultivar of P. orientalis. Available sometimes.
This tree is a native of California. It is closely related to P. wrightii. It has not proved hardy in the UK, and is known to be seriously affected by anthracnose in cool climates.
This tree is commercially available in the UK. I am not aware of any sites where it can be seen in London. It is described as an upright or fastigiate form.
However, there are occasional trees to be seen in London with variably upright or fastigiate shapes when mature.
Another American / Mexican species that has proved difficult to grow here. Since, like P. racemosa, it has been given a H5 rating for hardiness by the European Garden Flora, it should be possible to grow it in sheltered parts of southern England; unless it is affected by other factors such as disease, as with P. occidentalis.
A gold foliaged form), cultivated in the United States.
In cultivation in the US.
A number of other names can be found in the literature, some of which are invalid or synonyms, others may still be valid if the type trees can be found. See Bean's Manual, and the checklist provided by Santamour and McArdle in particular. These names include; P. intermedia, P. vulgaris, P. integrifolia, P. macrophylla, P. californica, P. vulgaris, P. occidentalis v. glabrata, P. densicoma, P. x hybrida, P. x acerifolia v. minor, P. x acerifolia cvs. Palmata, Palmata Superba, Kelseyana, Argentea Variegata, P. orientalis var. insularis, P. orientalis var. laciniata, P. cashmeriana, P. nepalensis.
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14-Oct-2022