American Sycamore • Plantanus occidentalis
Trees & Shrubs
Conditions: Allergic rhinitis; allergic asthma
Symptoms: Itchy, stuffy, or runny nose; post-nasal drip; sneezing; itchy, red or watery eyes; asthmatic symptoms; sinus headaches
Physical description: Deciduous tree with gray scaling bark and palmately shaped leaves with hairs on the underside; produces seed balls over an inch in diameter
Environmental factors: Found in wetland and aquatic environments, including flood plains of rivers
Cross-reactivity: Maple and western sycamore
Included species: Arizona sycamore, California sycamore, eastern sycamore, and more
References
1. “American Sycamore (Plantanus occidentalis).” PollenLibrary.com. http://www.pollenlibrary.com/Specie/Platanus+occidentalis/
2. “Planetree, Sycamore.” Pollen.com. https://www.pollen.com/research/genus/platanus
3. “Cross-Reactivity.” Hollister Stier Allergy. http://www.hsallergy.com/products/cross-reactivity/
4. “American Sycamore.” United States Department of Agricultural Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_ploc.pdf
Did You Know?
Native Americans used sycamore for a variety of medicinal purposes, including cold and cough remedies, as well as dietary, dermatological, gynecological, respiratory, and gastrointestinal aids.
