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Acer spicatum
Acer spicatum Lam.
Mountain Maple
Aceraceae (Maple Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ACSP2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
Mountain maple is a small, understory tree, 20-35 ft. tall, with multiple trunks and a mushroom-shaped habit. Its bark is maroon-purple to reddish-brown and its dark, yellowish-green foliage consistently turns mottled-orange to bright-red in the fall.
Mountain Maple is hardy and adapted to partial shade. The Latin species name, meaning "spiked," refers to the long spikelike flower clusters. Rabbits, beavers, deer, and moose browse the bark, and ruffed grouse eat the buds. Some tribes boiled the young twigs with a pinch of alum and used the solution to soothe eyes irritated by smoke. (Kershaw)
Mountain maple is very important for preventing erosion on streambanks and steep slopes. When spreading branches become buried in leaf litter, they put down roots and send up new shoots. This process can produce impenetrable thickets on recently cleared land. (Kershaw)
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Samara
Size Notes: Up to about 35 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Red, Brown
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , BrownBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , CT , GA , IA , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Nf. to e. Sask., s. to NJ, uplands to GA & TN, MI & n.e. IA
Native Habitat: Cool, moist, wooded hillsides & flats.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist, cool, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: Mountain maple is disease and insect resistant but needs protection from wind and sun. It adapts to most soils.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Very high.Use Medicinal: Some tribes boiled the young twigs with a pinch of alum and used the solution to soothe eyes irritated by smoke. (Kershaw)
Attracts: Birds
Propagation
Description: Propagation is possible by seed.Seed Collection: The winged fruit of maples is called a samara. Seed is usually not extracted from the samara.
Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | UPL | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Bibref 1258 - Trees of Ontario (2007) Kershaw, Linda
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Acer spicatum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Acer spicatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Acer spicatum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2014-10-17Research By: TWC Staff