About Platanus rzedowskii Nixon & J.M.Poole
Platanus rzedowskii reaches an average height of 80 ft (24 meters) or more, with an average width of 30 ft (9 meters). Its leaves are 8 in (20 centimeters) wide, olive green, and turn yellow-green during winter. This species has very extensive roots that often grow to an extremely large size. It produces white flowers that bloom from December to February, and fruits develop from April to August. Platanus rzedowskii is endemic to northeastern Mexico, growing primarily in parts of Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, and Tamaulipas at elevations between 45 and 1,300 meters. It grows in drier climatic conditions within its native range, and occurs interspersed with and alongside the nearly identical related species Platanus mexicana. Currently, Platanus rzedowskii is only used as an ornamental tree and harvested commercially for its wood; it has no other known current uses. There is unconfirmed speculation that Native Americans within this species' native range may have used it for medical remedies, with no clear evidence to support this claim.
