Share

Native 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.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Acer glabrum Torr.

Rocky Mountain maple

Aceraceae (Maple Family)

USDA Symbol: acgl

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Rocky Mountain maple is a multi-stemmed, 10-30 ft. tree or shrub with a 10-15 ft. spread. Though inconspicuous, the early spring flowers of this maple are quite fragrant. Its shiny, green, deciduous leaves turn yellow to reddish-orange in fall. Smooth, gray bark; red twigs; and reddish, winged seeds provide winter interest. The northernmost maple in the New World, it extends through southeastern Alaska. The Latin species name, meaning hairless, refers to the leaves.

 

From the Image Gallery

No images of this plant

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Margin: Lobed , Serrate
Size Notes: A small tree with slender, spreading branches.
Leaf: Green above with lighter veins, slightly paler below.
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 12-36 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Apr , May
Bloom Notes: Usually monoecious, in small clusters.

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NE , NM , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB
Native Distribution: Mts. of western U.S.
Native Habitat: Wooded hills; ravines along streams; above 4500 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK (I?), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Though not as handsome as vine maple, this species is more cold hardy. Rocky Mountain maple does not tolerate heat and its leaves may scorch if grown in open, hot, dry and windy sites.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Deer, elk, cattle, and sheep browse the foliage.
Interesting Foliage: yes

Propagation

Description: Can be propagated from seeds sown soon after harvest.
Seed Collection: As soon as samaras turn yellowish or reddish brown and the seeds inside are firm, filled out, and dark brown. Best to gather from the tree as seeds that have already dropped lose viability quickly and are easily infested. Seed is usually not extracted from the samara. Keep in cold, moist storage.
Seed Treatment: Best results from seeds are obtained by alternating warm & cold stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back