Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Palmate-lobed with 3 to 5 lobes and sharp sinuses
Margin
Serrate (coarsely toothed along the edges of the lobes)
Arrangement
Opposite arrangement on the twig
Venation
Palmate venation with prominent primary veins radiating from the base and a well-defined midrib.
Key Features
Opposite leaf arrangement, 3 to 5 lobed leaves with serrated margins, V-shaped sinuses between lobes, and reddish leaf stalks (petioles).
Description
The Red Maple is one of the most abundant and widespread trees in eastern North America. Known for its brilliant red foliage in autumn, it features smooth gray bark when young that becomes dark and ridged with age. The tree produces small reddish flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge, followed by paired winged samaras.
Habitat
Found in a wide variety of sites from swamps and wet bottomlands to dry ridges, thriving in moist, acidic soils under full sun to partial shade.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, stretching from southeastern Canada through the eastern United States down to Florida and Texas.