October 19, 2008

Acer pseudoplatanus

"sycamore"
originally belongs to the fig species Ficus sycomorus native to southwest Asia (this is the sycamore or sycomore referred to in the Bible), and was later applied to this species (and others; see also Platanus) by reason of the superficial similarity in leaf shape. On young trees, the bark is smooth and grey but becomes rougher with age and breaks up in scales, exposing the pale-brown-to-pinkish inner bark---this bark becomes very course and sandy when ground or pulverized and can be used for sweet, smokey notes in fine incense blends. This species of maple is native to central Europe and southwestern Asia, from France east to Poland, and south in mountains to northern Spain, northern Turkey, and the Caucasus. The flowers produce abundant nectar, which makes a fragrant, delicately flavoured and pale-coloured honey.