Silver Maple (also known as Creek Maple, Water Maple, or Soft Maple)
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Sapindales, Family: Sapindaceae, Genus: Acer, Species: Acer saccharinum · Sapindaceae (Soapberry family, traditionally placed in Aceraceae) · Simple, deciduous leaf
Species
Acer saccharinum
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Family
Sapindaceae (Soapberry family, traditionally placed in Aceraceae)
Shape
Deeply 5-lobed, palmately veined, with sharply toothed margins and very deep sinuses extending more than halfway to the midrib
Size
Approximately 4 to 6 inches long and wide, which is typical for a mature specimen of this species
Margin
Serrate to doubly serrate with sharp, pointed teeth along the lobe edges
Arrangement
Opposite arrangement along the twig, featuring a slender petiole
Rarity
Very Common throughout its native range, frequently encountered in damp woodlands and as an urban street tree
Color & Pattern
Medium to dark green on the upper surface and a distinct silvery-white on the lower surface, turning pale yellow to occasionally brownish in autumn
Venation Pattern
Palmate venation with five primary veins radiating from the base, prominent midribs, and a reticulate network of smaller veins
Texture & Surface
Smooth (glabrous) upper surface with a slightly matte to semi-glossy finish, and a pale, finely pubescent or smooth lower surface
Description
Acer saccharinum, commonly known as the Silver Maple, is a fast-growing deciduous tree known for its characteristic deeply lobed leaves that display a striking silvery underside. The tree features gray, flaky bark on mature trunks, small greenish-yellow to red flowers appearing in early spring before the leaves, and paired winged samaras (keys) that drop in late spring.
Key Features
Extremely deep sinuses between the leaf lobes, sharply toothed margins, and a starkly contrasting silvery-white underside of the leaf blade
Habitat
Typically found along banks of streams, rivers, floodplains, and wetland borders where moist, fine-textured soils are present
Geographic Range
Native to eastern and central North America, ranging from New Brunswick west to Minnesota, and south to Florida and eastern Texas
Condition Notes
The specimen is in good, pressed condition with intact lobes and clear margins, though slightly aged as part of a herbarium collection
Interesting Facts
Silver Maples have one of the highest growth rates among large deciduous trees and their seeds are among the heaviest of any North American maple, germinating almost immediately upon falling in spring
Medicinal & Uses
Indigenous peoples used the inner bark medicinally to treat coughs, dysentery, and as an eye wash. The wood is softer than hard maples but utilized for furniture, crates, and paper pulp, while the tree is widely planted for rapid shade
Ecological Role
Provides essential early-spring nectar for pollinators, cavity nesting sites for birds and small mammals, and structural stability for eroding stream banks
Similar Species
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) and Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum); Red Maple has shallower sinuses and whitish but not silvery undersides, while Sugar Maple has U-shaped sinuses and rounded lobes
Foraging Tips
Look near water sources like riverbanks and floodplains. Check fallen leaves or low-hanging branches for the distinctive deep lobes and flashing silver undersides when the wind blows
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic to humans and livestock; maple leaves are generally considered safe, though fallen wilted leaves can occasionally pose toxicity risks to horses if ingested in large quantities