Acer spicatum

The Vermont maple ( Acer spicatum ) is a large shrub or small tree of the genus of the maples in the family of Soapberry ( Sapindaceae ). The natural range is in Canada and the United States.

Description

The Vermont Maple is a 10 meters high, and thus small tree or shrub with gray hairy stems. The leaves are three - or five-lobed, 6-12 cm wide, often longer than broad, heart-shaped base. The lobes are ovate and pointed, the leaf margin is irregularly doubly serrate. The upper leaf surface is bright green and often wrinkled, the underside is pale green and hairy, at least initially. The petiole is 4-6 inches long. The leaves turn yellow in autumn to orange. The greenish yellow flowers are arranged in small and 8 to 14 cm long, erect, cylindrical spikes. The petals are long, narrow and white, the ovary is hairy. The species flowers in May after driving off the leaves. The fruits are ripe when almost bald and 1.5 to 2 inches long. The wing is spread approximately at right angles.

Distribution and ecology

The distribution area is located in Eastern Canada to Saskatchewan and the northeast, southeast and in the middle of the United States. The species grows in cool moist forests on moderately nutrient-rich, moist to moist, well drained, acidic to neutral, sandy- gravelly or humic - rich soils in light shade, cool to cold locations. The species is frost hardy but avoid chalky surfaces.

Systematics and history of research

The Vermont maple ( Acer spicatum ) is a species of the genus maples ( Acer) in the family of Soapberry ( Sapindaceae ). There he is assigned to the section Parviflora, series Caudata. The first description was in 1786 by Jean -Baptiste de Lamarck in the Encyclopedie méthodique. Botanique ... Paris.

Use

The species is rarely used because of their exceptional autumn color as ornamental tree.

Evidence

26815
de