.jpg&width=800)
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
Be the first to snap!
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 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
How is striped maple pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
Where to spot
Park13 sightings8 species
New York, US
Paerdegat Basin Park
You might spot Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth and Common Mugwort.
View guide →
Park9 sightings8 species
Québec, CA
Parc national du Mont-Mégantic
You might spot Canada Jay, Bluebead Lily, and Hobblebush.
View guide →
Park20 sightings8 species
Pennsylvania, US
Reeds Gap State Park
You might spot Partridgeberry, Eastern Hemlock, and American Beech.
View guide →
Park7 sightings6 species
Pennsylvania, US
Denton Hill State Park
You might spot New York Fern, Common Milkweed, and True Sedges.
View guide →
