- Acer saccharinum
- North America, Canada
Genus
Acer is the Latin generic name for the maple tree.
However, the word also means sharp or pointed. This can refer, for example, to the leaf shape of the pointed maple or mountain maple. In the past, maple wood was also used to make spears.
There are around 150 species of the maple genus worldwide - from small shrubs to large trees.
Maples are deciduous trees or shrubs. As a tree, the maple is a stately avenue and park tree with the greatest height of approx. 30 meters; largest species: sycamore, Norway maple, silver maple, native to Europe, West Asia, Canada.
Maples have a wide variety of leaf shapes from lobed, palmate to feathery filigree, brilliant autumn colors (Indian summer) and are - also with their bark markings - picturesque design elements in landscapes, parks and ornamental gardens.
The Graubünden sycamore was the most important symbol of state and freedom in Switzerland.
Information on the species
Acer saccharinum
The species name saccharinum refers to the Greek word saccharum and means sugar.
Bark and bark: silver-grey, slightly longitudinally fissured
Leaves: 10 to 15 centimetres long, deeply five-lobed, light green, silvery white underneath, bright yellow in autumn
Flowers: small, greenish yellow to red; winter bloomer January to March before budding
Fruits: fruit wings, double, sickle-shaped
Characteristics: frost-hardy, conditionally drought-resistant, resistant to urban climates; is already in sap in January
Health: Today, sugar syrup is obtained from Acer saccharinum (silver maple) and Acer saccharum (sugar maple) in the eastern states of the USA and Canada by trunk scribing.
Acer saccharum (sugar maple) was often used as a medicinal plant in the past.