TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993)	previous taxon | next taxon Jepson Interchange (more information)
	©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California

ACERACEAE

MAPLE FAMILY

James R. Shevock

Shrubs, trees, sometimes monoecious, dioecious, or with staminate and bisexual flowers
Leaves opposite, generally simple, generally palmately lobed (rarely pinnate), generally deciduous; stipules 0
Inflorescence: panicle, raceme, or umbel-like
Flower small; perianth generally ± yellowish green; sepals (4)5, free; petals generally 5 (sometimes 0, 4, or 6), free, generally sepal-like; stamens generally 8 (sometimes 5, 10, or 12), generally attached to edge of nectary disk; ovary superior, chambers 2, each 2-ovuled
Fruit: generally pair of achenes, conspicuously winged
Seed generally 1 per achene
Genera in family: 2 genera, ± 120 species: n temp, tropical mtns (Dipteronia : 2 species: China). Some Acer important as timber or ornamental, often has bright autumn colors
Reference: [Ogata 1967 Bull Tokyo U For 63:89–206]

ACER

MAPLE

Leaf simple or pinnately compound
Inflorescence: flower clusters drooping, generally appearing before or with emerging leaves
Fruit paired, each with elongate wing ribbed on proximal side
Species in genus: ± 118 species: n hemisphere
Etymology: (Latin name for maple)

Native

A. circinatum Pursh

VINE MAPLE

Shrub or small tree, 1–6 m, often reclining and rooting, vine-like, generally with staminate and bisexual flowers
Stem: twigs slender, glabrous
Leaf 5–12 cm wide, palmately 5–7-lobed to near middle
Inflorescence dense, 4–10-flowered
Flower: sepals red-purple; petals greenish white
Fruit reddish when mature; body glabrous; wings widely spreading (nearly 180°)
Ecology: Shaded streambanks
Elevation: < 1500 m.
Bioregional distribution: n&c Northwestern California, High Cascade Range, n Sierra Nevada
Distribution outside California: to Alaska
Horticultural information: IRR: 4, 5, 6, 17 &SHD: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20.