Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Acer spicatum

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Kingdom
  
Family
  
Scientific name
  
Acer spicatum

Rank
  
Species

Order
  
Genus
  
Acer

Higher classification
  
Maple

Acer spicatum httpsnewfss3amazonawscomtaxonimages1000s1

Similar
  
Maple, Acer pensylvanicum, Acer glabrum, Acer caudatum, Acer nigrum

Acer spicatum (mountain maple) is a species of maple native to northeastern North America from Saskatchewan to Newfoundland, and south to Pennsylvania. It also grows at high elevations in the southern Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia.

Contents

Acer spicatum Acer spicatum mountain maple Go Botany

Description

Acer spicatum Mountain Maple Acer spicatum The Arboretum

Acer spicatum is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 3–8 m (10–25 ft) tall, forming a spreading crown with a short trunk and slender branches. The leaves are opposite and simple, 6–10 cm (2 14–4 in) long and wide, with 3 or 5 shallow broad lobes. They are coarsely and irregularly toothed with a light green hairless surface and a finely hairy underside. The leaves turn brilliant yellow to red in autumn, and are on slender stalks usually longer than the blade. The bark is thin, dull gray-brown, and smooth at first but becoming slightly scaly. The fruit is a paired reddish samara, 2–3 cm (341 14 in) long, maturing in late summer to early autumn.

Distribution and ecology

Acer spicatum Acer spicatum Wikipedia

The tree lives in moist woods in rich, well-drained soils on rocky hillsides and along streams. It also grows on ravines, cliff faces, and forested bogs. During ecological succession, it colonizes the understory as pioneer species die.

Uses

Acer spicatum Acerspicatum1jpg

The sap is a source of sugar and can be boiled to make maple syrup. The bark contains tannins, which are used in tanning leather. Indigenous peoples infused the piths of young twigs to produce treatments for eye irritation and made poultices from boiled root chips. It is also said to be used to relieve stress in humans.

Acer spicatum JDL Acer spicatum 1 Henriette39s Herbal Homepage

References

Acer spicatum Wikipedia


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