Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Ovate to broadly cordate (heart-shaped) at the base, sometimes featuring asymmetrical lobes
Margin
Serrate (coarsely toothed along the edges)
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement along the twig
Venation
Palmate venation featuring prominent primary veins radiating from the base, combined with reticulate secondary veins.
Key Features
Sandpaper-like rough texture on the upper leaf surface, coarse serrations on the margin, asymmetrical cordate base, and milky sap found in the twigs and stems of the plant.
Description
The tree produces variable leaf shapes on the same branch, ranging from unlobed to deeply lobed.
Habitat
Rich, moist woods, floodplains, along streams, and forest edges, thriving in partial shade to full sun.
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, stretching from southern Ontario south to Florida and west to Texas and South Dakota.