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{{SPlantbox
|familia=Platanaceae
|genus=Platanus
|species=acerifolia
|common_name=London plane tree
|name_ref=Complete Landscaping - ISBN 9780376009272
|habit=tree
|habit_ref=Complete Landscaping - ISBN 9780376009272
|Min ht box=30
|Min ht metric=ft
|Max ht box=70
|Max ht metric=ft
|height_ref=Complete Landscaping - ISBN 9780376009272
|lifespan=perennial
|life_ref=Complete Landscaping - ISBN 9780376009272
|exposure=sun
|water=moist
|water_ref=Complete Landscaping - ISBN 9780376009272
|features=deciduous
|Temp Metric=°F
|min_zone=5
|usda_ref=Complete Landscaping - ISBN 9780376009272
|max_zone=8.5
|image=London plane flower.jpg
|image_width=240
}}
'''''Platanus × acerifolia''''', the '''London plane''', '''London planetree''', or '''hybrid plane''', is a tree in the genus ''[[Platanus]]''. It is usually thought to be a [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] of ''[[Platanus orientalis]]'' (oriental plane) and the ''[[Platanus occidentalis]]'' (American sycamore). Some authorities think that it may be a [[cultivar]] of ''P. orientalis''.
The London Plane is a large [[deciduous]] [[tree]] growing to 20–35 m (exceptionally over 40 m) tall, with a trunk up to 3 m or more in circumference. The [[bark]] is usually pale grey-green, smooth and exfoliating, or buff-brown and not exfoliating. The [[leaf|leaves]] are thick and stiff-textured, broad, palmately lobed, superficially [[maple]]-like, the leaf blade 10–20 cm long and 12–25 cm broad, with a [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]] 3–10 cm long. The young leaves in spring are coated with minute, fine, stiff hairs at first, but these wear off and by late summer the leaves are hairless or nearly so. The [[flower]]s are borne in one to three (most often two) dense spherical [[inflorescence]]s on a pendulous stem, with male and female flowers on separate stems. The [[fruit]] matures in about 6 months, to 2–3 cm diameter, and comprises a dense spherical cluster of [[achene]]s with numerous stiff hairs which aid wind dispersal; the cluster breaks up slowly over the winter to release the numerous 2–3 mm seeds.
==Cultivation==
===Propagation===
===Pests and diseases===
==Varieties==
Cultivars and varieties:
[[Image:cflps.jpg|thumb|A [[finch]] eating London Plane seeds in [[Seattle]]]]
[[Image:Platanusxacerifolia04.jpg|thumb|London Plane (''Platanus × acerifolia'') - note single seed ball per stem: similar to ''P. occidentalis'', not found in all clones]]
*'''Augustine Henry'''. This is a tall growing variety, with very large, pale green leaves. It produces a strong leader and a cylindrical trunk.<ref name = Bean/>
*'''Bloodgood''', This is one of the first cultivars to be selected for anthracnose resistance. It is a rounded tree with deep green leaves that turn a poor yellow in fall. The plant tolerates poor cultural conditions, including heat, drought and poor soil. Recent observations indicate susceptibility to ozone.
*'''Columbia'''. Resists mildew and anthracnose, this tree has deeply-lobed, dark green leaves.<ref name = Rushforth>Rushforth, K. (1999). ''Trees of Britain and Europe''. [[Harper Collins]] ISBN 0-00-220013-9.</ref>
*'''Liberty'''. A U.S. National Arboretum introduction, this pyramidal tree grows vigorously. It shows good tolerance for mildew, anthracnose, heat and drought.<ref name = Rushforth/>
*'''Metzam''' (Metroshade), A new introduction that grows strongly with a pyramidal habit, this cultivar is also said to be disease resistant with lustrous green foliage that emerges with a reddish cast.<ref name = Rushforth/>
*'''Mirkovec'''. Has a dwarf, shrubby habit and unusual variegated lobed leaves with pink, cream and bronze regions.<ref name = Rushforth/>
*'''Pyramidalis'''. A cultivar or cultivar group common in London, with rich glossy green leaves, and a characteristic tendency to produce straight branches, compared to sinuous branches ones in other forms.<ref name = Bean/>
*'''Suttneri'''. Leaves are variegated creamy white.
*'''Yarwood'''. Very resistant to powdery mildew and highly susceptible to anthracnose. Poor structure. Being abandoned in California.<ref>Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening''. Macmillan.</ref>
==Gallery==
<gallery perrow=5>
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
</gallery>
==References==
<references/>
<!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->
<!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 -->
<!--- xxxxx *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 -->
==External links==
*{{wplink}}
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