Platanus hispanica – Family: Platanaceae
General characteristics
It is known as a shading platanus (plane tree) promenade plane tree or “itchy-itchy” tree, among other names.
It is a monoic and deciduous tree, with open branches and a wide cup that ranges from 35 to 40 metres high. Its trunk is erect, whose bark falls in plaques of creamy green or yellow bark.
It has alternating leaves, palm shaped, “tomentosas” when young and “glabros” when old, of bright green colour in the upper part and a lighter green on the back side.
Uses
Although it can be spontaneously born in rivers and streams, it is cultivated as ornamental in Europe since the XVI century, easily found in parks, gardens, promenades, and streets due to its cup luxuriance and excelent shade, and even, after the appearance of the automobile, due to its pollution resistance. Its wood is fibrous and hard, being used in woodwork, cart making, toys, railways sleepers, etc.
Curiosities.
The fruits are also grouped together in balls, each one having an inverted wedge shape and a long strand of hair. Altoghether these balls are called “itching” due to their skin irritation properties. As historical curiosities we can say that wise Greek doctor Hipocrates, gathered his disciples under the shade of an enormous plane tree. And the legendary King of Spartha Esparta, Menenlao planted one before leaving to Troya, which lived over 800 years.
Shading plane tree at the Sanchis Guarner Garden
The three shading platanus are found in the last strip of the Sanchis Guarner garden. These three trees have natural vertical shapes, the first two in a unique trunk and the last one with a double trunk. Their bark is in good condition. The first two had been transplanted from another place in the garden approximately ten years ago (source: Joan Gracia).
CONDITION: shading: A, B are only shadowing the grove. C: initially shadowed on the side. Observations: A, B have some dry leaves.
ASSOCIATED LIFE: FAUNA (Observed): white snails and ants. FAUNA (Heard): Birds.
ENVIRONMENT:
- NATURAL: surrounded by other indigenous species. Permeable ground, one part covered with grass and another recently modified, which is covered with sand.
- ANTHROPIC (man-made): Public park, drip irrigation, limited by the road on one side and orange groves on the other. Public lighting.
Platanus 1 | Platanus 2 | Platanus 3 | |
Trunk perimetre at 1.30 m | 1,22 m. | 1,30 m. | A 0,7 m.: 2,09 m.
(each secondary trunk at 1,30 m.: 1,32 i 1,58 m.) |
Height | |||
Cup width | 14,00 m. | 12,20 m. | 15,20 m. |
Ethnobotany and/or associated history:
Very near the grove at the Ferrocarril de Alcoy area, we will find the Sanchis Guarner garden, the largest public garden in the village, which people love to visit all year round. A part from the shading plane tree, we will find a great variety of garden plants, such as these:
Hydrangeas (Hydrangea)
Clivias (Clivia miniata)
Schefleras (Scheflera arboricora)
Ferns (Polystichum setiferum)
Incense (Plectranthus coleoides ‘marginatus’)
Spikenard from Japan (Aralia japonica)
Alocasia odora or elephant ear (Alocasia macorrhiza)
On foot access from parking:
Location:
GPS parking location:
X, Y: 38.91353, -0.19932
GPS tree location:
X, Y: 38.91309, -0.1991
Accesibility to everyone.