Plant index
Specimen record
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
Specimen collection
Category
Tree
Status
Native
Family
Sapindaceae
Abundance
Abundant
Description
One of the most abundant and widespread trees of eastern North America. Red maple is named for its brilliant scarlet autumn foliage, red flowers in early spring, and red twigs and buds in winter. It thrives in a wide range of habitats, from wet swampy ground to dry upland slopes.
Identification tips
- 1Opposite leaves with 3–5 pointed lobes and V-shaped sinuses
- 2Leaf undersides are silvery-white
- 3Tiny red flowers appear before leaves in early spring
- 4Paired winged samaras (helicopter seeds) ripen in late spring
- 5Bark smooth gray on young trees, scaly and darker on older trunks
Specimen & preservation notes
Press spring flowering branches with flowers attached. Collect autumn leaves at peak color. Samaras press well and add interest to herbarium sheets. Allow 2–3 weeks for full drying under weight.
Collection calendar
| Wk | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||||||
| 2 | ||||||||
| 3 | ||||||||
| 4 |
CollectibleCurrent weekNot collectible
Collection notes
Apr Wk 1,2,3,4Young leaves and flowers available
May Wk 1,2Samaras developing
Sep Wk 3,4Autumn color; pressing specimens
Oct Wk 1,2,3,4Peak autumn foliage
Season check
Observed bloom also extends into March.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
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Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Guide collection windowObserved flowering
Flowering records: 361 iNaturalist observations, Massachusetts · Nearby: 2091 observations within 25 km