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Vareigated sycamore

A variety of the common sycamore which is planted for its attractive green and yellow leaves.

What other names does it have?

Generic name	Sycamore
Latin name	Acer pseudoplatanus f. variegatum
Family name	Maple
Latin family name	Aceraceae

What type of tree is it?

Is it a broadleaf or conifer?	It is a broadleaf
Does it lose its leaves in autumn?	Yes, it is deciduous

Species description:

Average height	16-35m

Leaf

Description	The leaves have five lobes with round tipped teeth/serrations. They are a mixture of green and yellow in colour which varies between individual trees
Shape	Palmate
Colour	Green and yellow
Leaf bud	Large and green
Leaf stalk	Long stalk
Leaf arrangement	Opposite

Flower, seed, and fruit

Type of flower	Multiple flowers in spike
Flower size	The 'tail' of flowers is 6-12cm long and droops, individual flowers are much smaller.
Fruit colour	Green ripening to brown
Type of seed body	Large winged seed/key
Seeds dispersed by	Wind

Bark and twig

Bark description	Pale grey when young, becoming rugged with age
Twig Description	Greenish with some grey and pink tones

What other trees are similar?

Can easily be confused with?	Sycamore- whose leaves are green all over

Where is it usually found?

Is it native or non-native to the British Isles?	Non-native - introduced
Where is its natural range?	As a horticulturally created tree it has no natural range
Preferred soil type or environmental conditions?	Tolerates a range of conditions, prefers heavy soils
What is its British conservation status?	Occasional

Additional information

Human uses of tree and timber	Planted in parks and gardens for its ornamental foliage

Tree shape

Leaf shape

The bark

Illustrations supplied by
Collins

BritishTrees

©2012 The Woodland Trust