Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum · Sapindaceae (Soapberry family, traditionally placed in Aceraceae)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Palmate-lobed with 5 deeply separated lobes and sharp, pointed sinuses
Margin
Deeply serrated to irregularly toothed margins
Arrangement
Opposite arrangement on the twig
Venation
Palmate venation with five primary veins radiating from the base
Key Features
Deeply cut, five-lobed leaves with sharp, jagged teeth and distinctly silvery-white lower surfaces, paired with opposite branching
Description
The Silver Maple is a fast-growing deciduous tree known for its deeply lobed leaves featuring striking silvery undersides that flash in the wind. It produces winged samaras in early spring and features gray, flaky bark on mature trunks.
Habitat
Typically found along riverbanks, floodplains, wet bottomlands, and poorly drained soils, though highly adaptable to urban environments
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, ranging from Quebec and Ontario south to Florida, and west to Minnesota and Texas