# southern sugar maple (*Acer floridanum*) The southern sugar maple is a beautiful tree with lovely leaves that turn bright colors in the fall. It can grow tall and provides shade for people and animals alike. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Forests ![southern sugar maple](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/3RivStPkFLMaple2008.JPG&width=800) Photo: Tim Ross, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3RivStPkFLMaple2008.JPG) ## Appearance The southern sugar maple is a medium-sized deciduous tree with distinctively five-lobed leaves that are smooth and bright green above, often fuzzy underneath. Its bark is typically grayish-brown, becoming furrowed and somewhat flaky with age, making it visually appealing year-round. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Sapindales - **Family:** Sapindaceae - **Genus:** Acer ## Interesting facts - Early settlers learned to tap its sap for a sweet, natural sugar source long before stores existed! - Its hard, dense wood is perfect for making fine furniture, flooring, and even musical instruments! - This tree is a master of survival, thriving in diverse soils from wet riverbanks to dry uplands. - Unlike northern maples, this southern cousin often keeps its vibrant green leaves longer into autumn. ## Special abilities - **Sweet Sap Producer:** Southern sugar maple can produce sweet sap that helps it store energy for new growth after the winter months. - **Drought Resilience:** Southern sugar maple has deep roots and relatively thick leaves that help it survive dry spells in warmer climates. - **Winged Seed Glider:** Southern sugar maple has unique seeds with 'wings' (samaras) that help them spin and glide far from the parent tree. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 1500-3000 cm - **Spread:** 900-1500 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Early spring - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on young leaves and twigs. - **Eats:** [Eastern gray squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Feeds on the tree's winged seeds. - **Shelter:** [Northern Cardinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-cardinal) (*Cardinalis cardinalis*) — Builds nests and finds refuge in its branches. - **Shelter:** [Downy Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/downy-woodpecker) (*Dryobates pubescens*) — Uses dead wood for nesting cavities. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always stay on paths when exploring near trees, and don't climb without an adult's help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify southern sugar maple? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is southern sugar maple? 1500-3000 cm ### How wide does southern sugar maple spread? 900-1500 cm ### How big are the flowers on southern sugar maple? 0.2-0.5 cm ### When does southern sugar maple bloom? Early spring ### Is southern sugar maple edible? Yes ### Is southern sugar maple toxic? None ### What is southern sugar maple's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [The Gardens of the American Rose Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-gardens-of-the-american-rose-center) — Louisiana, US · Botanical Garden ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Southern Sugar Maple: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-sugar-maple)