Oriental plane (Platanus orientalis, Sp. Pl.: 999 (1753))

Family: Platanaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 999 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Platanus

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Medit. to Iran

Description

The Oriental plane, known scientifically as Platanus orientalis, is a majestic tree that has enthralled botanists and nature enthusiasts for centuries. Documented in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” on page 999 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, this tree is a notable member of the Platanaceae family.

Found predominantly from the eastern Mediterranean region stretching to Iran, the Oriental plane is celebrated for its resilience and longevity. This tree often thrives in riverbanks and other moist, well-drained soils, making it a common sight in many landscapes across its native range. With a broad, spreading canopy, it provides ample shade and has become a treasured component of urban and rural areas alike.

The bark of the Oriental plane is distinctly patterned; it exfoliates to reveal a mosaic of creamy whites, greens, and browns, adding to its aesthetic appeal. As the seasons change, this tree showcases a dynamic array of foliage transformations. In spring and summer, its large, palmate leaves are a lush green, creating a dense canopy that rustles pleasingly in the breeze. Come autumn, these leaves turn a striking golden hue before they fall, heralding the approach of winter.

Beyond its beauty, the Oriental plane has practical uses as well. The wood of this tree has historically been utilized in various forms of carpentry and joinery due to its fine grain and workability. Additionally, the tree’s ability to thrive in urban environments and its resistance to pollution make it a popular choice for city planning and public parks.

The Oriental plane is more than just a tree; it is a living testament to the biodiversity and natural history of the regions it inhabits. Its grandeur and utility ensure that it remains a beloved species, valued for both its ecological contributions and its place in the human landscape.

Common Names

Deu: morgenländische platane
Eng: oriental plane tree, oriental plane, oriental planetree, chenar, oriental plane-tree
Fra: platane d’orient
Swe: orientalisk platan
Por: plátano
Nld: oosterse plataan
En: Oriental plane, Oriental planetree, Chenar, Oriental Plane-tree, Oriental Plane tree
Ar: دلب مشرقي
Hy: Սոսի
Az: Şərq çinarı
Eu: Ekialdeko platano
Br: Platan-ar-Reter
Bg: Източен чинар
Ca: Plàtan d’orient
Zh: San qiu xuan ling mu, 三球悬铃木, 法桐
Hr: Azijska platana
Cs: Platan východní
Da: Orientalsk platan
Nl: Oosterse plataan
Et: Idaplaatan
Fi: Idänplataani
Fr: Platane d’Orient
Gl: Plátano oriental
De: Morgenländische Platane, Asiatische Platane
El: Ανατολικός πλάτανος
He: דולב מזרחי
Hu: Keleti platán
It: Platano orientale
Ko: 버즘나무
Mk: Чинар
Ml: ചിനാർ
No: Orientplatan
Fa: چنار خاوری
Pl: Platan wschodni
Pt: Plátano
Ru: Платан восточный
Sr: Азијски платан
Sk: Platan východný
Es: Vzhodna platana, Plátano de Oriente
Sv: Orientalisk platan
Zh-tw: 法桐
Zh-hant: 法桐
Tr: Doğu çınarı
Uk: Платан східний
Ur: چنار
Cy: Pilcoes

Synonyms

• Platanus pyramidalis (Bolle ex Koehne)
• Platanus umbraculifera (K.Koch)
• Platanus umbrosa (Salisb.)
• Platanus undulata (Steud.)
• Platanus digitata (G.Gordon)
• Platanus vitifolia (Spach ex Dippel)
• Platanus vulgaris (Spach)
• Platanus orientalis var. undulata (Aiton)
• Platanus insularis (Kotschy ex Koehne)
• Platanus orientalis var. elongata (Aiton)
• Platanus palmata (Moench)
• Platanus elongata (Steud.)
• Platanus orientalior (Dode)
• Platanus orientalis var. laciniata (J.Bommer)
• Platanus vulgaris subsp. orientalis ((L.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Platanus nepalensis (Morren)
• Platanus orientalis f. occidentaloides (Candargy)
• Platanus cretica (Dode)
• Platanus orientalis f. pendula (K.Koch)
• Platanus nana (K.Koch)
• Platanus reuteri (K.Koch)
• Platanus orientalis var. rosenthalii (T.Moore)
• Platanus algeriensis (K.Koch)
• Platanus vulgaris var. liquidambarifolia (Spach)
• Platanus macrophylla (Cree ex W.H.Baxter)
• Platanus orientalis f. liquidambarifolia (K.Koch)
• Platanus laciniata (K.Koch)
• Platanus orientalis var. insularis (A.DC.)
• Platanus orientalis f. digitata ((Gordon) Jankó)
• Platanus orientalis var. nepalensis ((Morren) Wesm.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Afghanistan (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Turkey-in-Europe (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Aug 18, 2022 by Pascal Damien (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2021 by pauline toyes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2021 by Beytullah AYDIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 25, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 25, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 22, 2021 by Clavería Andrés (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2021 by רמי וייסמן (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2020 by Alessandro Palagi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2020 by Pokotilo Olga (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 25, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 17, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2021 by Eyal Halon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 25, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2020 by Pokotilo Olga (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 22, 2020 by Miazzo Riccardo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 13, 2019 by keren keren (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2018 by Françoise Dest (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2018 by Javier Martinez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2020 by Pokotilo Olga (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 19, 2019 by kalabeli oguz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Michel POURCHET (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Michel POURCHET (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2021 by izem idourar (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2019 by Klara (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Dec 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 9, 2020 by Stoyan (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2020 by El Mojito (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by Pl@ntNet (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:685873-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3152816)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Platanus orientalis L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’]

Soil nutriments: 6