Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Compound (pinnately compound, typically with 3 to 7 leaflets), deciduous
Shape
Ovate to lanceolate leaflets with occasional lobes, asymmetrical bases
Margin
Coarsely serrate or irregularly lobed, sometimes entire
Arrangement
Opposite
Venation
Pinnate venation on individual leaflets with a prominent central midrib
Key Features
Opposite arrangement combined with pinnately compound leaves featuring 3 to 7 leaflets, distinguishing it immediately from almost all other North American maples except when compared to some ashes.
Description
Boxelder is an unusual maple because unlike most of its relatives, it features compound leaves rather than simple ones. It is a fast-growing, medium-sized tree with a spreading, often irregular crown. The bark is gray-brown and develops shallow ridges with age. It produces inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers in spring followed by paired winged samaras.
Habitat
Riparian zones, along streams, floodplains, disturbed areas, and forest edges; highly adaptable to various soil types and moisture levels
Native Range
Native widely across North America from Canada down through the United States and into parts of Central America