Norway Maple
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Sapindales, Family: Sapindaceae, Genus: Acer, Species: Acer platanoides · Sapindaceae (Soapberry/Maple family) · Simple, broadleaf deciduous
Species
Acer platanoides
Leaf Type
Simple, broadleaf deciduous
Family
Sapindaceae (Soapberry/Maple family)
Shape
Palmately lobed with 5 to 7 sharp, pointed lobes featuring fine acuminate tips
Size
Approximately 4 to 7 inches (10 to 18 cm) long and wide, consistent with standard mature size for this species
Margin
Coarsely dentate to sharply pointed lobes with smooth edges between the tips
Arrangement
Opposite, with long reddish to green petioles
Rarity
Very Common (frequently planted in urban landscapes and abundant in naturalized forests)
Color & Pattern
Deep rich green upper surface, slightly paler underside; central basal point where veins converge shows a lighter yellow-green junction; petioles show pale reddish-yellow hues
Venation Pattern
Palmate venation with major veins radiating outwards from the base of the blade into each main lobe
Texture & Surface
Smooth (glabrous) on both upper and lower surfaces, paper-like to leathery feel, matte to slightly glossy under sunlight
Description
The Norway maple is a dense, medium-to-large deciduous tree featuring broad canopy shade. Its leaves are distinctly broad with five to seven pointed lobes ending in needle-sharp tips. The long petioles exude a milky white sap when snapped, a key diagnostic trait for the species.
Key Features
Milky white sap exuded from broken leaf petioles; 5-7 sharply pointed lobes with long thin tips; wide flat samara wings spreading at almost 180 degrees
Habitat
Urban parks, street borders, rich lowland forests, disturbed woodlands, tolerant of varied soil pH and urban pollution
Geographic Range
Native to Eastern and Central Europe and Southwest Asia; widely naturalized and often invasive across North America
Condition Notes
Fair to Good condition; minor mechanical tear damage and localized browning/necrosis visible near the lower margin of the central leaf blade
Interesting Facts
Unlike native American maples, breaking the leaf stem of a Norway maple releases a distinct milky white latex sap. It turns a bright uniform yellow late in autumn, often retaining leaves weeks longer than native maples.
Medicinal & Uses
Primarily used as an ornamental shade tree and urban landscape planting; wood is moderately dense and used for furniture, flooring, and turnery, though inferior to Sugar Maple for maple syrup production
Ecological Role
Invasive in North America, where it outcompetes native flora due to dense shade canopy, early leaf-out, and allelopathic properties inhibiting native understory growth
Similar Species
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) - differentiated by clear sap in petiole, 5 lobes with U-shaped sinuses, and rougher gray bark; Red Maple (Acer rubrum) - smaller leaves with 3-5 lobes and serrated margins
Foraging Tips
Look for opposite branch structure, large 5-7 lobed leaves, and test a broken leaf petiole for white milky sap to confirm identification
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic to humans; leaves exposed to fungal wilt (Hypoxylon) can cause respiratory issues or laminitis in horses if consumed in large quantities