ORANGE COUNTY ZOO
Photo courtesy of
Irvine Park Railroad
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The Orange County Zoo is
owned and operated by the
County
of Orange, California.
Web page produced by the
Orange County Zoological Society,
Copyright 2005.
California Sycamore
Platanus racemosa
Also known as a Western Sycamore, this tree can reach a height of 80 feet tall. It is found throughout California, up to the 4000 foot elevation in the wet soils of stream banks, in valleys, foothills and mountains. The mottled bark and light green foliage are very distinctive. Tiny flowers bloom in spring. The ball-shaped fruit hangs in groups of 2-7 on a long stalk.
Native American Usage
Native Americans used the limbs and branches for dwelling construction , as well
as making bowls from the wood. The bark was used for medicinal purposes. The
inner bark was used for food. The leaves were used to wrap bread during baking.