London Planetree - Platanus x acerifolia Planetree Family (Platanaceae)

London plane tree is a hybrid cross of American sycamore and Oriental planetree.1

It is believed that this hybrid was developed in the 1640s by an accidental cross of the Oriental plane and American Sycamore either in Spain or London. The hybrid was recognized and categorized in 1789 by a Scottish botanist, William Aiton. It subsequently became very popular in many European cities including London because of its urban pollution tolerance.1

The epithet, acerifolia, means like the leaves of maple or Acer.1

The roots of the tree can invade sewer pipes and lift sidewalks.1

References:
  1. Platanus x acerifolia. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/platanus-x-acerifolia/. No Publication Date. Accessed December 04, 2023.
  2. https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Platanus-acerfolia–josh-sjackson–CC-BY-NC.jpg
  3. https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Platanus_x_acerifolia_fruit_01_by_Line1.jpg
  4. https://www.treeguideuk.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_6772-scaled.jpg
  5. https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolboxprod/media/images/Platanus_x_acerifoli_Lnw4ryVm6cZZ.jpeg
  6. https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Platanus-acerfolia-1–josh-sjackson–CC-BY-NC.jpg