What is this tree?

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by Allie, Jun 2, 2009.

  1. Allie

    Allie Member

    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Pretoria, South Africa
    Hi - I hope someone can help me identify a tree I saw a couple of days ago here in Pretoria, South Africa. I don't have pictures, unfortunately.

    The leaves looked like maple leaves, and they had turned colors and were dropping. The seed pods, however, were round little spiky "balls," about 3-4 cm in diameter, hanging in clusters. They have a sort of "knobby" surface. I'm probably not doing a very good job of describing it.

    I have looked through books about tree identification, but they only contain indigenous species, and I think that probably this tree is an "import."

    Can anyone help?
     
  2. Silver surfer

    Silver surfer Generous Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    3,988
    Likes Received:
    313
    Location:
    PERTHSHIRE. SCOTLAND.UK
  3. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

    Messages:
    21,250
    Likes Received:
    786
    Location:
    WA USA (Z8)
    Or sweetgum.
     
  4. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    4,776
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    Sounds like Platanus acerifolium, which is a pretty common import to the tropics as a Maple-like tree (since maples don't do so well in the heat).
     
  5. Allie

    Allie Member

    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Pretoria, South Africa
    Thanks everyone! I looked at the pictures via the link, and I do think it is Platanus. Tomorrow I'll try and split one of the seed pods open and post a picture.
     
  6. Allie

    Allie Member

    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Pretoria, South Africa
    As requested by Silver Surfer, here a picture of the seed pods...
     

    Attached Files:

  7. Silver surfer

    Silver surfer Generous Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    3,988
    Likes Received:
    313
    Location:
    PERTHSHIRE. SCOTLAND.UK
    Thank you Allie, that is definitely the fruit balls/seeds from Platanus. Glad your query was solved.
     

Share This Page