How to identify Norway maple (Acer platanoides)
Norway maple, also known as Great maple, Harlequin maple
Norway maple is a stately deciduous tree known for its distinctive foliage which consists of opposite, five-lobed leaves with finely pointed tips and small hairs in the vein axils. The leaves exude a milky sap when their stems are snapped. Its bark is finely furrowed, providing textural interest. Additionally, norway maple produces paired nutlets that are aligned in a straight line, a unique trait useful for identification. Mature specimens can attain impressive dimensions, up to 50 feet (15 meters) in both height and canopy spread.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Tree
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Opposite, five-lobed leaves with milky sap and fine hairs in vein axils.
Paired nutlets aligned in a straight line on the tree.
Small green-yellow flowers in clusters with subtle sweet fragrance.
Fruit consists of winged samaras for wind dispersal, maturing from green to brown.
Broad leaves with 5 sharply pointed lobes and prominent palmate vein pattern.
The leaves of norway maple are broad, measuring approximately 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) across. They feature 5 sharply pointed lobes, with the middle lobe being the longest. The edges are coarsely serrated. The leaf petioles, which can exude a milky sap when broken, are typically long and slender. The leaves are bright green throughout the growing season, turning to an unremarkable yellow in the fall. The vein pattern is prominent and palmate, radiating from the leaf's central point.
The flowers of norway maple are small and green-yellow, appearing in early spring before the leaves. Each flower is about 0.25 inches (6 mm) in diameter, forming clusters of 15-30 in upright corymbs. The petals are five in number, with a slightly rounded shape. Flowers are dioecious, meaning individual trees will have either male or female flowers. They emit a subtle, sweet fragrance, attracting pollinators. The blooming period spans from March to April.
The fruit of norway maple consists of pairs of samaras, each featuring 1.5-2 inches (38-51 mm) long wings that spread out horizontally. These distinctive winged fruits are known for their ability to be carried by the wind, aiding in seed dispersal. The samaras are typically seen in shades of green, maturing to a brown color as they ripen from September to October. The texture is initially somewhat soft but becomes dryer and papery as the fruit matures. The double-winged structure is a notable characteristic that aids in the identification of this fruit.
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Scientific Classification of Norway maple
