Sycamore

trees · leaves · ancient names

Name comes from Greece. The word 'sycamore' started in Ancient Greece as 'sykomoros,' which literally means 'fig-mulberry' because the tree seemed like a blend of two other trees.

Similar shaped leaves. Even though sycamore refers to different types of trees in different places, they all share somewhat similar leaf forms that make them recognizable.

Different trees, same name. In Europe, sycamore usually means a maple tree, but in North America and Egypt, the name refers to completely different types of trees entirely.

A tricky tree name. Sycamore shows how tree names can be confusing because the same word doesn't always mean the same tree depending on where in the world you are.