Species PlantsCalifornia Sycamore

California Sycamore

Platanus racemosa

CommonPlant
Illustration of California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)

California Sycamore is a massive, picturesque tree of riparian corridors in California with bold, multi-colored, peeling bark of white, tan, and gray. Its enormous size and deeply furrowed old trunks provide habitat for many cavity-nesting birds including western screech owls and wood ducks. Colonies of bald eagles roost in sycamore groves in winter.

Habitat
Riparian corridors, stream banks, and floodplains in California
Diet
Ball-shaped seed heads eaten by finches; cavities used by many nesting birds
How common
Common

Best time to see a California Sycamore

The best time to see a California Sycamore is January–July, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 17,100 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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Not certain it is a California Sycamore? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

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