Maple is the common name for all members of the Acer flower genus, a group of around 132 primarily deciduous tree and shrub species[1]. Most maples originate from Asia, but some species are also found in Europe, North Africa, and North America.
The genus is classified in the Sapindaceae family. Maple trees are valued for their stunning fall leaf colors. The leaves change color and take on red, orange, and yellow hues.
Most maple species are trees that reach heights of 10 to 40 meters (30 to 130 feet). But some shrubs are less than 10 meters tall and have a series of small trunks that originate at ground level.
Maples are characterized by their opposite leaf arrangement. The leaves of most species are lobed and palmately veined, with 3 to 9 veins, each of which leads to a lobe.
Maple flowers are pentamerousWhat is pentamerous?Having parts in fives or multiples of five., regular, and borne in clusters or corymbs. Maple flowers have 5 sepals, 5 petals 1 to 6 mm long, 12 stamens 6 to 10 mm long. Maple trees bloom in early spring or late winter. Typically, Maple flowers are red, orange, green, or yellow.
