Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Sapindaceae (Soapberry and Maple family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Palmately lobed with 5 distinct primary lobes
Margin
Serrate with shallow, rounded sinuses between the major lobes
Arrangement
Opposite arrangement along the twig
Venation
Palmate venation with five primary veins radiating from the base of the leaf blade, featuring a prominent midrib and a finely reticulated network of secondary veins.
Key Features
Opposite leaf arrangement, 5-lobed simple leaf with deep U-shaped sinuses between lobes, smooth margins on the lobes with occasional large teeth, and clear sap rather than milky sap.
Description
A classic deciduous tree leaf featuring deeply cut lobes and a broad silhouette. Sugar Maples are celebrated for their dense canopy, greyish-brown furrowed bark, and legendary brilliant orange and red autumn foliage.
Habitat
Found primarily in rich, moist, well-drained upland forests, often associated with northern hardwood forest ecosystems, thriving in cool, damp climates.
Native Range
Native to northeastern and north-central North America, extending from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, and south to Georgia and Texas.