Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Palmately lobed with three to five primary lobes and sharp, acute sinuses
Margin
Serrate (coarsely toothed) along the margins of the lobes
Arrangement
Opposite arrangement along the stem, featuring a slender, reddish petiole
Venation
Palmate venation with primary veins radiating from the base of the leaf blade and a prominent central midrib
Key Features
Opposite leaf arrangement, palmately lobed leaves with 3 to 5 main lobes, serrated margins, and reddish petioles distinguish this species from many other deciduous trees
Description
The Red Maple is a versatile and widespread deciduous tree celebrated for its brilliant scarlet autumn foliage. It features smooth gray bark on young trunks that becomes ridged and scaly with age, small red flowers appearing in early spring before the leaves, and characteristic winged samaras (helicopter seeds) that spin to the ground in late spring.
Habitat
Thrives in a wide variety of moisture conditions from swampy, poorly drained floodplains to dry upland ridges, showing preference for acidic soils and full sun to partial shade
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, extending from southeastern Canada south to Florida and west to Texas and Minnesota