ExplorePlants

Vine Maple

Acer circinatum

The Vine Maple is a small tree with beautiful, green leaves that turn bright red and orange in the fall. It loves to grow in shady spots and is often found near streams and rivers.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Vine Maple has slender, often multi-stemmed trunks and smooth, greenish bark. Its distinctive palmate leaves feature 7-9 shallow lobes, turning vibrant shades of red, orange, or yellow in autumn, setting it apart from many other maples.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilySapindaceaeGenusAcer
Vine Maple
deciduous trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badgebroadleaf_tree trait badgecolorful trait badge
Vine Maple

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Its super flexible wood was traditionally used by Native Americans for making snowshoe frames!

The leaves have tiny hairs on their undersides, which can help store extra water during dry spells!

Vine Maple sap can be tapped and boiled down to make a sweet syrup, just like sugar maples!

You can often find them growing tangled up with other trees, creating cool natural arches!

Special abilities

Ability

Twisting Growth

Vine Maples can bend and twist their flexible trunks, allowing them to grow towards precious sunlight in dense forests.

Ability

Shade Adapter

Its thin leaves are excellent at capturing dappled light, helping it thrive in the shady understory of taller trees.

Ability

Resilient Re-sprouter

If damaged, Vine Maple can quickly re-sprout from its base, helping it recover after disturbances like fires.

Measurements & details

Height
500-800 cm
Spread
400-600 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Spring
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eats

North American Beaver

Castor canadensis

Beavers chew its bark and branches

eats

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

Deer browse its leaves and twigs

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Bees collect nectar from its flowers

shelters

Dark-eyed Junco

Junco hyemalis

Birds nest in its dense branches

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always stay on paths when exploring forests and don't climb trees without an adult.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Vine Maple?

500-800 cm

How wide does Vine Maple spread?

400-600 cm

How big are the flowers on Vine Maple?

0.5-1 cm

When does Vine Maple bloom?

Spring

Is Vine Maple edible?

Yes

Is Vine Maple toxic?

None

What is Vine Maple's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Vine Maple pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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