Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

Pollinator Value

🐛 Larval Host: Actias luna, Euclea delphinii, Lophocampa caryae, Antheraea polyphemus, Automeris io, Hyalophora cecropia, Orgyia leucostigma, Lithophane signosa, Macrurocampa marthesia, Eupsilia vinulenta, Prionoxystus robiniae, Datana contracta, Phobetron pithecium
S13+S15 13 verified Eastern NA

Proximity Score: 1
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ❌ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: S
CEC Eco-Regions: 8 – Eastern Temperate Forests, 8.1 – Mixed Wood Plains, 8.1.1 – Eastern Great Lakes and Hudson Lowlands
Rarity Notes: Critically imperiled in Quebec (S1) with only a handful of known native populations concentrated along the Chateauguay River near Powerscourt in the Monteregie region. Apparently Secure in Ontario (S4). Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Globally secure (G5). Quebec specimens are all from a single narrow area (lat ~45.01, lon ~-74.16), making the species extremely vulnerable to local extirpation.
S22+S54+S26
Rarity Ranks: QC S1 – Critically Imperiled, ON S4 – Apparently Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: American sycamore reaches the northern limit of its native range in southern Quebec, where it is critically imperiled (S1). In Quebec, known only from the Chateauguay River valley near Powerscourt, where small populations persist on floodplain alluvium in association with sugar maple, bitternut hickory, and basswood. Typically a pioneer to sub-climax species of rich bottomlands, stream banks, and floodplains, requiring moist well-drained alluvial soils with periodic flooding.
S41+S54+S22

Roles: Fire Retardant, Fortress/Barrier, Nurse Plant
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fire Retardant: S73 [MEDIUM]: S11 Fire Tolerance = Medium (not definitional)] | Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Nurse Plant: S61 keyword match: pioneer (supporting signal only)]
Notes: A dominant canopy tree in riparian and floodplain guilds. Provides massive shade canopy, cavity habitat, and pioneer stabilization on disturbed alluvial sites. Functions as a nurse tree for later-successional species on flood-prone bottomlands. Its rapid growth and tolerance of wet soils make it valuable for streambank stabilization plantings.
S41+S29

Category: Astringent, Diuretic, Emetic, Laxative, Antidiarrheal, Dermatological Aid, Antirheumatic, Cold Remedy, Cough Medicine
S28+S29 Moerman categories: Drug/Antidiarrheal, Cathartic, Cough Medicine, Dermatological Aid, Emetic, Gynecological Aid, Urinary Aid, Cold Remedy, Antirheumatic, Tuberculosis Remedy
Notes: Extensively used in Indigenous medicine. Cherokee used inner bark infusions for dysentery, coughs, measles, and difficult urination. Bark ooze was applied as a wash for infected sores and infant rash. Iroquois prepared compound infusions of bark and roots as foot soaks for rheumatism. Delaware mixed bark infusion with honey locust bark as a gargle for hoarseness and sore throat. Meskwaki ate bark for internal pains. Creek used bark decoctions for pulmonary tuberculosis. Contains betulinic acid in the bark.
S28+S29+S31

❌ Not Edible

Foraging Notes: The sweet sap can be tapped in spring and boiled down into syrup, but the sugar content is low and the sap-to-syrup ratio is higher than for maple, making it impractical for commercial use. Moerman records no food uses among Indigenous peoples.
S29+S28