Sycamore
Information about properties also applies to other closely related Acer species like Maples
Botanical name: Acer pseudoplatanus
Family: Maple (Aceraceae)
Collectability: plentiful, common, weed
Main benefit
potential source of carbohydrates
Use - overview
Features and Identification
Habitat
Type: woods, hedges
Distribution: Europe, North America
General
Growth type: tree
Cycle: deciduous
Height: up to 30 meters
Other: casts dense shade
Leaf
Shape: palmate
Arrangement: opposite on long stalks
Edge: toothed
Trunk
Colour: reddish-brown
Texture: smooth when young, flaking when old
Cross Section:
Other:
Flower
Diameter: small
Petals/sepals: 5
Arrangement: hanging clusters
When: April to June
Colour:
Seed
Shape: round
Size: 8mm
Casing: 30mm winged key, mirrored pairs in clusters
Type: woods, hedges
Distribution: Europe, North America
General
Growth type: tree
Cycle: deciduous
Height: up to 30 meters
Other: casts dense shade
LeafShape: palmate
Arrangement: opposite on long stalks
Edge: toothed
TrunkColour: reddish-brown
Texture: smooth when young, flaking when old
Cross Section:
Other:
FlowerDiameter: small
Petals/sepals: 5
Arrangement: hanging clusters
When: April to June
Colour:
SeedShape: round
Size: 8mm
Casing: 30mm winged key, mirrored pairs in clusters
When Available?
April to June
all year March and April August to OctoberParts with black and white icons are for non-culinary use
Culinary Use
Flavour
Rating and Description:
bitter
bland, slightly sweet
How to Consume
see note below, leaf curd
raw, syrup
see note below
Special preparation
see the "sap" section on the Parts page for more information
remove papery wing case
Nutrition
sugar (25g per litre)
Used as ...
food (see note below)
sweetener, beverage (see note below)
Rating and Description:
bitter bland, slightly sweetHow to Consume
see note below, leaf curd raw, syrup see note belowSpecial preparation
see the "sap" section on the Parts page for more information remove papery wing caseNutrition
sugar (25g per litre)Used as ...
food (see note below) sweetener, beverage (see note below)
Medicinal Use
Action:
inner bark: astringent, vulnerary
May treat:
inner bark: wash: skin problems, sore eyes; poultice: wounds
inner bark: astringent, vulnerary May treat:
inner bark: wash: skin problems, sore eyes; poultice: wounds
Other Use
for wrapping fruit and vegetable to store (trunk) timber
Collection, Storing and Notes
Collection
see the "sap" section on the Parts page for more information
Note
There is no direct information about edibility of the leaves and seeds, but the information implies that it may be safe to eat both, and that they may be acceptable food. The seeds are certainly plentiful and should be nutritious.
less flow than Sugar Maple or even Birch, but sweeter than Birch
see the "sap" section on the Parts page for more informationNote
There is no direct information about edibility of the leaves and seeds, but the information implies that it may be safe to eat both, and that they may be acceptable food. The seeds are certainly plentiful and should be nutritious.
less flow than Sugar Maple or even Birch, but sweeter than Birch
Key
Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed
Parts with black and white icons in the availability section are for non-culinary use
Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use
Other:
caution
leaf stem or trunk sap root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts flower fruit seedParts with black and white icons in the availability section are for non-culinary use
Use:
culinary use medicinal use household useOther:
caution
Glossary
General Glossary
Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances
- palmate: having lobes or leaflets like spread fingers
Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances
- astringent: causes localised contraction of blood vessels and tissue, reducing the flow of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
- vulnerary: promotes healing of wounds (applied externally)
