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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Acer pensylvanicum (Striped maple)
Smith, R.W.

Acer pensylvanicum

Acer pensylvanicum L.

Striped Maple, Moosewood

Aceraceae (Maple Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ACPE

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Striped maple is a deciduous, understory tree with a graceful, arching, uneven crown and short trunk. The bark is smooth and green with longitudinal, white stripes on the trunk and branches. Old trunks lose the pronounced striping. Fall foliage is lemon-yellow. Unlike other native maples, the green flowers of this species are terminal and pendulous.

Striped Maple is easily recognized, even in winter, by the striped twigs and bark, which make it a popular ornamental. Rabbits, beavers, deer and moose eat the bark, especially in winter.

 

From the Image Gallery

7 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Samara
Size Notes: Up to about 35 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Green, two joined samaras.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: CT , GA , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE
Native Distribution: ME & adjacent Canada to s.e. Ont. & U.P., MI, s. through mts. to n. GA
Native Habitat: Rich, shady woods

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Cool, well-drained, moist, acidic soils.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by stratified seed or cuttings. Late softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings may root under mist, however percentages are often low.
Seed Collection: Only female trees have seeds. The winged fruit of maples is called a samara. Seed is usually not extracted from the samara.
Seed Treatment: 3-4 months of cold stratication will improve germination.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FACU FACU FACU FACU
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Acer pensylvanicum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Acer pensylvanicum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Acer pensylvanicum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-26
Research By: TWC Staff

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