Sycamore maple
(Acer pseudoplatanus)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Appearance
Acer pseudoplatanus is a tall tree that can reach 100 ft. (30 m) or more in height. The bark of the tree has irregular coarse scales that often flake off revealing the orange inner bark. The palmately veined leaves have a leathery texture, unlike most maples, and are dark green above and lighter green and pubescent on the major veins below.
Foliage
The palmate dark green or reddish green leaves have 5 lobes. The two basal lobes are reduced compared to the three middle lobes. The leaf margins are coarsely toothed, but do not have sharp tips. The leaves are 3-6 in. (7.5-15 cm) wide and are cordate at their base. Leaves turn yellow in the fall.
Flowers
The yellow to green flowers appear in April and May at the same time as the leaves. Flowers are in pendulous racemes 2-6 in. (6-15 cm) long. The individual flowers are small, measuring 0.2 in. (4-5 mm) across.
Fruit
The fruits are paired samaras that measure about 1-1.5 in. (3-4 cm) long. The wings of the fruit are at angles of 60-90 degrees. The seeds mature from late summer through early fall and are primarily wind-dispersed.
Ecological Threat
Acer pseudoplatanus is native to Europe and western Asia. It is capable of producing large numbers of seedlings, giving rise to dense tree stands with the potential for crowding out native tree species.
Resources
- Tree Fact Sheet - University of Florida Environmental Horticulture
- Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 1994.
- Connecticut Invasive Plant List
- Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group
- Jil Swearingen, personal communication, 2009-2017
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Massachusetts Invasive Plants Advisory Group List
- Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
- Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- National Park Service, National Capital Region Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- Native Plant Society of Oregon, 2008
- New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team 2017 Invasive Species List
- New York Regulated and Prohibited Invasive Species - Prohibited
- Non-Native Invasive Plants of Arlington County, Virginia
- Rhode Island Natural History Survey
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Rosanae |
| Order: Sapindales |
| Family: Sapindaceae |
| Genus: Acer |
| Acer pseudoplatanus |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.