Boxelder, Boxelder Maple, Ash-leaved Maple, Manitoba Maple
Acer negundo · Sapindaceae (Soapberry family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Compound (pinnately compound, typically with 3 to 5 leaflets, sometimes 7), deciduous
Shape
Lanceolate to ovate leaflets with acute tips and cuneate or rounded bases
Margin
Serrate to coarsely toothed, sometimes slightly lobed
Arrangement
Opposite on the stem, which is a key diagnostic feature for maples
Venation
Pinnate venation on each individual leaflet with a prominent central midrib and branching lateral veins
Key Features
Opposite, pinnately compound leaves (usually with 3-5 leaflets resembling ash), pale green twigs often with a whitish waxy bloom that rubs off, and paired samaras hanging in long clusters
Description
Acer negundo, commonly known as boxelder, is a fast-growing, medium-sized deciduous tree with a somewhat irregular and sprawling canopy. Unlike most other maples that feature simple leaves, the boxelder boasts pinnately compound leaves, often confounding novice naturalists who mistake it for an ash or a hickory. It produces small, drooping clusters of greenish flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge, followed by paired winged samaras (keys) that disperse via the wind. The bark is light gray to brown, developing shallow furrows and scaly ridges with age.
Habitat
Typically found along streams, rivers, lakeshores, floodplains, and disturbed moist soils, highly adaptable and tolerant of urban pollution
Native Range
Widespread native range across North America from Canada down through the United States to Mexico, highly adaptable and naturalized in various other regions globally
Notes
Northern Minnesota