Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Sapindaceae (Soapberry family, traditionally grouped in Aceraceae)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Palmate lobed, typically with 5 distinct lobes and deep, rounded sinuses
Margin
Serrate with few large, coarse teeth along the lobes; margins are otherwise entire
Arrangement
Opposite arrangement on the twig
Venation
Palmate venation with five primary veins radiating from the base, highly prominent on the lower surface
Key Features
Opposite leaf arrangement, 5-lobed leaves with smooth sinuses and few teeth, gray-brown furrowed bark, and brown, sharp-pointed winter buds
Description
A classic medium to large deciduous tree famed for its brilliant fall foliage and sweet sap. The leaves feature sharp-pointed, sparsely toothed lobes separated by rounded sinuses.
Habitat
Rich, moist, well-drained upland forests, cool temperate regions, shade-tolerant in understories
Native Range
Native to northeastern and north-central North America, extending south to parts of the Appalachian Mountains