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striped maple
ExplorePlants
striped maple
Acer pensylvanicum
The striped maple is a small tree with beautiful green leaves and unique striped bark. It loves to grow in shady forests and is a great home for many animals.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The striped maple is a slender, understory tree easily identified by its smooth, green bark adorned with distinctive white or pale stripes. It has large, three-lobed leaves often compared to a goose's foot, which turn vibrant yellow in autumn. Its overall appearance is quite unique among North American maples.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilySapindaceaeGenusAcer
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
37
Interesting facts
Indigenous peoples used parts of the striped maple for food and to make various tools or crafts!
Its scientific name, 'pensylvanicum,' means 'from Pennsylvania,' where it was first documented!
Some people call this tree 'goosefoot maple' because its large leaves look like a goose's foot!
The unique 'helicopter' seeds spin as they fall, helping them travel far from the parent tree!
Special abilities
Ability
Winter Photosynthesis
Striped maple has smooth, green-striped bark that can perform photosynthesis, helping it create energy even before its leaves unfurl in spring.
Ability
Shade Master
The striped maple can thrive in deep forest shade, using its broad leaves to capture what little sunlight filters through the canopy.
Ability
Early Sap Flow
Striped maple has sap that flows early in spring, allowing animals like moose to gain vital nutrients when other food is scarce.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 500-1500 cm
- Spread
- 300-800 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eats
Moose
Alces alces
Browses on young twigs, leaves, and bark, especially in winter.
eats
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Forages on tender leaves and shoots, especially new growth.
pollinates
Eastern Yellowjacket
Vespula maculifrons
Visits the small, greenish-yellow flowers for nectar and pollen.
shelters
Black-capped Chickadee
Parus atricapillus
Uses its branches for perching, nesting, and foraging for insects.
Traits
Striped
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Moosewood
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Stay on paths when exploring forests and don't touch plants without asking an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify striped maple?
The easiest way to identify striped maple is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is striped maple?
500-1500 cm
How wide does striped maple spread?
300-800 cm
How big are the flowers on striped maple?
0.5-1 cm
When does striped maple bloom?
Spring
Is striped maple edible?
Yes
Is striped maple toxic?
None
What is striped maple's lifecycle?
Perennial
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Jun 1, 2026
High Pointi
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 30, 2026
East Granby Historic Districti
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 27, 2026
Bald Eagle State Foresti
Photo attribution
(c) Cecil Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 26, 2026
Silver Lake Districti
Photo attribution
(c) Jaime McGuigan, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 24, 2026
Andrews Geyseri
Photo attribution
(c) Terry Loeb, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Where to spot
Park37 sightings50 species
Pennsylvania, US
Bald Eagle State Forest
You might spot Mountain Laurel, Ghost Pipe, and Sweetfern.
View guide →
Park45 sightings50 species
Connecticut, US
Canton Center Historic District
You might spot Green Frog and Mountain Laurel.
View guide →
Park49 sightings50 species
Maine, US
Carriage Paths, Bridges and Gatehouses
You might spot American Bullfrog and Three-Toothed Cinquefoil.
View guide →
Park43 sightings50 species
Connecticut, US
Connecticut College Arboretum
You might spot Common Mugwort and Canada Goose.
View guide →
Park50 sightings50 species
Maine, US
Harraseeket Historic District
You might spot Ghost Pipe, Pink Lady's Slipper, and Bluebead Lily.
View guide →
Park44 sightings50 species
Connecticut, US
Hempstead Historic District
You might spot Common Mugwort, Canada Goose, and American Herring Gull.
View guide →
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