Oriental Planetree

Platanus orientalis

Native to:
Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Sicilia, Transcaucasus, Türkiye

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Platanaceae
Genus:
Platanus
Species:
Platanus orientalis
USDA Symbol:
PLOR6

Growth Characteristics

Height:
3000 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
apr,may

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae), Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), Regal Moth (Citheronia regalis)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fall Color:
yellow, brown
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from trunk and root crown after fire or severe damage due to thick bark.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers riverbanks and floodplains

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
14–42 days
Notes:
Seeds require light for germination; sow on surface and keep moist.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI