Acer pseudoplatanus




Acer pseudoplatanus, known as the sycamore in Europe and the sycamore maple in the United States, is a flowering plant species in the soapberry and lychee family Sapindaceae. It is a large deciduous, broadleaved tree, tolerant of wind and coastal exposure. It is native to Central Europe and Western Asia, its range extending from France eastwards to Ukraine, northern Turkey and the Caucasus and southwards in the mountains to northern Spain and Italy. It was introduced to the British Isles about 1500, where it is now naturalised and to other parts of Europe, North America, Australia and elsewhere. It establishes itself easily from seed and is considered an invasive species in Ireland, Madeira, Australia and New Zealand, Canada and parts of the United States.