Maple - Revision history

Raffi at 02:21, 19 September 2011

2011-09-19T02:21:24Z

Murali.lalitha at 13:54, 7 September 2010

2010-09-07T13:54:58Z

Stoneangel at 09:24, 7 January 2010

2010-01-07T09:24:52Z

Raffi: /* Species */ SCH Text

2009-06-22T21:26:43Z

Species: SCH Text

Raffi at 20:12, 22 June 2009

2009-06-22T20:12:38Z

Show changes

Trees: list of species

2009-02-11T13:21:38Z

list of species

Raffi: /* References */

2008-12-02T23:16:20Z

References

Raffi at 16:18, 30 March 2007

2007-03-30T16:18:14Z

New page

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Maple
| image = Acer-saccharinum-leaves-e.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Silver Maple (''Acer saccharinum'') leaves
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Sapindales]]
| familia = [[Sapindaceae]]
| genus = '''''Acer'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = See [[List of Acer species|List of ''Acer'' species]]
| range_map = Map genus Acer.png
| range_map_width = 240px
| range_map_caption = Distribution
}}

'''Maples''' are [[tree]]s or shrubs in the [[genus]] ''Acer''. There are approximately 125 [[species]], most of which are native to [[Asia]], but several species also occur in [[Europe]], northern [[Africa]], and [[North America]]. Maples are variously classified in a family of their own, the [[Aceraceae]], or (together with the [[Hippocastanaceae]]) included in the family [[Sapindaceae]]. Modern classifications, including the [[Angiosperm Phylogeny Group]] classification, favor inclusion in Sapindaceae.

The word ''Acer'' is derived from a [[Greek language|Greek]] word meaning "sharp" (referring to the characteristic points on the leaves) and was first applied to the genus by the [[French people|French]] botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort in 1700.<ref name="gelderen">van Gelderen, C.J. & van Gelderen, D.M. (1999). ''Maples for Gardens: A Color Encyclopedia''</ref>

==Morphology==
[[Image:orangemaple.jpg|thumb|left|Sugar Maple (''Acer saccharum'') leaves in fall]]
Maples are mostly [[tree]]s growing to 10-40 m (30-130 feet) in height. Others are [[shrub]]s less than 10 m tall with a number of small [[trunk (botany)|trunks]] originating at ground level. Most species are [[deciduous]], but a few in southern Asia and the [[Mediterranean region]] are [[evergreen]].

Maples are distinguished by opposite [[leaf]] arrangement. The leaves in most species are [[leaf shape|palmate]]ly veined and lobed, with 3-9 veins each leading to a lobe, one of which is in the middle. A small number of species differ in having palmate compound, [[leaf shape|pinnate]] compound, pinnate veined or unlobed leaves.

Several species, including the [[Paperbark Maple]] (''Acer griseum''), [[Acer mandshuricum|Manchurian Maple]] (''Acer mandshuricum''), [[Acer maximowiczianum|Nikko Maple]] (''Acer maximowiczianum''), and [[Acer triflorum|Three-flowered Maple]] (''Acer triflorum''), have trifoliate leaves. One species, [[Acer negundo|Manitoba Maple]] (''Acer negundo''), has pinnately compound leaves that may be simply trifoliate or may have five, seven, or rarely nine leaflets. One maple, the [[Hornbeam Maple]] (''Acer carpinifolium''), has pinnately-veined simple leaves that resemble those of [[hornbeam]].

[[Image:Maple7951.JPG|left|thumb|Red Maple (''Acer rubrum'') flowers]]
The [[flower]]s are regular, [[symmetry (biology)#Pentamerism|pentamerous]], and borne in [[raceme]]s, [[corymb]]s, or [[umbels]]. They have five [[sepal]]s, five [[petal]]s about 1 to 6 mm long, 12 [[stamen]]s about 6-10 mm long in two rings of six, and two [[pistil]]s or a pistil with two styles. The [[ovary (plants)|ovary]] is superior and has two [[carpel]]s, whose wings elongate the flowers, making it easy to tell which flowers are female. Maples flower in late [[winter]] or early [[springtime|spring]], in most species with or just after the leaves appear, but in some before them.

Maple flowers are green, yellow, orange or red. Though individually small, the effect of an entire tree in flower can be striking in several species. Some maples are an early spring source of [[pollen]] and [[nectar (plant)|nectar]] for [[bee]]s.

The distinctive [[fruit]] are called [[samara (fruit)|samaras]] or "maple keys". These [[seed]]s occur in distinctive pairs each containing one seed enclosed in a "nutlet' attached to a flattened wing of fibrous, papery tissue. They are shaped to spin as they fall and to carry the seeds a considerable distance on the wind. Seed maturation is usually in a few
weeks to six months of flowering, with seed dispersal shortly after maturity. Most species require [[Stratification (botany)|stratification]] in order to [[germination|germinate]], and some seeds can remain dormant in the soil for several years before germinating.<ref name="gelderen"/>

==Pests and diseases==
The leaves are used as a food plant for the [[larva]]e of a number of [[Lepidoptera]] species (see [[List of Lepidoptera which feed on Maples]]). [[Aphid]]s are also very common sap-feeders on maples.

Maples are affected by a number of [[fungus|fungal]] diseases. Several are susceptible to Verticillium wilt caused by ''[[Verticillium]]'' species, which can cause significant local mortality. Sooty bark disease, caused by ''[[Cryptostroma]]'' species, can kill trees which are under stress due to [[drought]]. Death of maples can also be caused more rarely by ''[[Phytophthora]]'' root rot and ''[[Ganoderma]]'' root decay. Maple leaves in late summer and autumn are commonly disfigured by "tar spot" caused by ''[[Rhystima]]'' species and [[mildew]] caused by ''[[Uncinula]]'' species, though these diseases do not usually have an adverse effect on the trees' long-term health.<ref name="phillips">Phillips, D. H. & Burdekin, D. A. (1992). ''Diseases of Forest and Ornamental Trees''. Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-49493-8.</ref>

==Uses==
===Horticulture===
[[Image:Acer palmatum sango kaku.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Japanese Maple|Acer palmatum]]'' has over 1,000 [[cultivar|cultivars]]. This cultivar is ''A. palmatum'' 'Sango kaku', sometimes called "coralbark maple".]]
Maples are planted as [[ornamental tree]]s by homeowners, businesses and municipalities. [[Norway Maple]] (''A. platanoides'') is especially popular as it is fast-growing and extremely cold-resistant, though is also an [[invasive species]] in some regions. Other maples, especially smaller or more unusual species, are popular as specimen trees.<ref name="gelderen"/>

;Cultivars
Numerous maple [[cultivar]]s have been selected for particular characteristics and can be [[plant propagation|propagated]] only by [[grafting]]. [[Japanese Maple]] (''A. palmatum'') alone has over 1,000 cultivars, most selected in Japan, and many of them no longer propagated or not in cultivation in the [[western world]].<ref name="gelderen"/> Some delicate cultivars are usually grown in pots and rarely reach heights of more than 50-100 cm.

;Bonsai
Maples are a popular choice for the art of [[bonsai]]. Japanese Maple, [[Trident Maple]] (''A. buergerianum''), [[Amur Maple]] (''A. ginnala''), [[Field Maple]] (''A. campestre'') and [[Montpellier Maple]] (''A. monspessulanum'') are popular choices and respond well to techniques that encourage leaf reduction and [[ramification (botany)|ramification]], but most species can be used.<ref name="gelderen"/>

;Collections
Maple collections, sometimes called ''aceretums'', occupy space in many gardens and [[arboretum|arboreta]] around the world including the "five great W's" in [[England]]: [[Wakehurst Place Garden]], [[Westonbirt Arboretum]], [[Windsor Great Park]], [[Winkworth Arboretum]] and [[Wisley Garden]]. In the [[United States]], the aceretum at the [[Harvard University|Harvard]]-owned [[Arnold Arboretum]] in [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] is especially notable. In the number of species and cultivars, the [[Esveld Aceretum]] in [[Boskoop|Boskoop, Netherlands]] is the largest in the world.<ref name="gelderen"/>

===Tourism===
[[Image:Karasawa2000.JPG|280px|thumb|Autumn color in the [[Japanese Alps|Hodaka Mountains]] of [[Japan]]]]Many ''Acer'' species have bright [[autumn foliage]], and many countries have leaf-watching traditions. In [[Japan]], the custom of viewing the changing color of maples in the autumn is called "[[momijigari]]". [[Nikko, Tochigi|Nikko]] and [[Kyoto]] are particularly favored destinations for this activity.

The particularly spectacular fall colors of the [[Red Maple]] (''A''. ''rubrum'') are a major contributor to the seasonal landscape in southeastern [[Canada]] and in [[New England]]. [[Leaf peeping|Fall tourism]] is a boon to
the economy of this region, especially in [[Vermont]], [[New Hampshire]] and [[Western Massachusetts]].

In the American [[Pacific Northwest]], it is the spectacular fall colors of the Vine Maple (''A''. ''circinatum'') that draw tourists and photographers.

===Commercial uses===
Maples are important as source of syrup and [[wood]]. They are also cultivated as [[ornamental plant|ornamental plants]] and have benefits for [[tourism]] and [[agriculture]].

;Maple syrup
The [[Sugar Maple]] (''Acer saccharum'') is tapped for [[Sap (plant)|sap]], which is then boiled to produce [[maple syrup]] or made into [[maple sugar]] or [[maple candy]]. Syrup can be made from closely-related species as well, but their output is inferior.

;Timber
Some of the larger maple species have valuable [[timber]], particularly Sugar Maple in North America, and [[Sycamore Maple]] in Europe. Sugar Maple wood, often known as "hard maple", is the wood of choice for [[bowling]] pins, bowling alley lanes, [[drums]] and [[butcher block|butcher's block]]s. Maple wood is also used for the production of wooden [[baseball bat]]s, though less often than [[ash (tree)|ash]] or [[hickory]].

Some maple wood has a highly decorative wood grain, known as [[flame maple]] and [[quilt maple]]. This condition occurs randomly in individual trees of several species, and often cannot be detected until the wood has been sawn, though it is sometimes visible in the standing tree as a rippled pattern in the bark. Maple is considered a [[tonewood]], or a wood that carries sound waves well, and is used in numerous instruments such as [[guitars]] and [[drum]]s.

;Agriculture
As they are a major source of pollen in early spring before many other plants have flowered, maples are important to the survival of [[honeybee]]s that play a commercially-important role later in the spring and summer.

;Toys
Maple is also popular among toy manufacturers, most notably [[Wooden toy train|wooden toy trains]].

===Symbolism===
The [[flag of Canada]] depicts a stylized [[maple leaf]] and is a prominent [[national symbol]]. In the United States, the maple has been adopted by five states as their official [[state tree]]. The sugar maple was adopted by [[New York]],<ref name="ny">State of New York Dept. of State [http://www.dos.state.ny.us/kidsroom/nysfacts/stfacts.html New York State Symbols]. Retrieved Dec. 16 2006.</ref> [[Vermont]],<ref name="vt">State of Vermont Department of Libraries [http://dol.state.vt.us/www_root/000000/html/emblems/tree.htm State Tree]. Retrieved Dec. 16 2006.</ref> [[Wisconsin]]<ref name="wi">State of Wisconsin [http://www.wisconsin.gov/state/core/wisconsin_state_symbols.html State Symbols]. Retrieved Dec. 16 2006.</ref> and [[West Virginia]].<ref name="wv">Legislature of West Virginia [http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Educational/Kids_Page/4.html State Symbols]. Retrieved Dec. 16 2006.</ref> The red maple was adopted as the state tree of [[Rhode Island]].<ref name="ri">State of Rhode Island, Office of the Secretary of State. [http://www.sec.state.ri.us/library/riinfo/riinfo/knowrhode History And Facts About The Ocean State]. Retrieved Dec. 16 2006.</ref> The maple leaf is also the symbol of the online game [[MapleStory]] from [[Wizet]] and [[Nexon]].

<gallery>
Image:Maple leaves.jpg|[[Sycamore Maple]] leaves
Image:Yellow-maple.jpg|Yellow [[Norway Maple]] leaves in [[autumn]]
Image:redmaple.jpg|Red Maple trees in autumn
Image:TenryujiMomiji.jpg|Japanese Maple trees and bamboo in Japan
Image:Maple-oliv1.jpg|Norway Maple leaves
Image:Maple-oliv2.jpg|Norway Maple leaves
Image:Bi-colored Maple Tree.jpg|A bi-colored [[Bigtooth Maple]] tree
Image:curly_maple_bench.jpg|Bench made of highly-figured maple.
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
*[[List of Acer species]]

==External links==
{{commonscat|Acer}}
*[http://hua.huh.harvard.edu/china/mss/volume11/Aceraceae-AGH_reviewing.htm Flora of China draft synopsis of the family Aceraceae]
*[http://www.inh.co.jp/~hayasida/Ebunrui1.html Classification of maples]
*[http://herbarium.uvsc.edu/Virtual/search.asp?s=genus&p=1
&n=36&t=Acer UVSC Herbarium - Maples]
*[http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/pages/compare-maples.htm Compare eastern North American maple species at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu]

[[Category:Sapindaceae]]

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 |features=deciduous
 |Temp Metric=°F
 |jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
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+|image=Acer-saccharinum-leaves-e.jpg
 |image_width=240
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-| name = ''Acer''
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 [[Image:orangemaple.jpg|thumb|left|Sugar Maple (''Acer saccharum'') leaves in fall]]
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← Older revision		Revision as of 13:54, 7 September 2010
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		+	{{SPlantbox
		+	\|familia=Aceraceae
		+	\|genus=Acer
		+	\|common_name=Maple
		+	\|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
		+	\|habit=tree
		+	\|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
		+	\|lifespan=perennial
		+	\|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
		+	\|features=deciduous
		+	\|Temp Metric=°F
		+	\|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
		+	\|image=Upload.png
		+	\|image_width=240
		+	}}
	__NOTOC__{{Plantbox		__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
	\| name = ''Acer''		\| name = ''Acer''

@@ Line 127: / Line 127: @@
 *''[[Acer velutinum]]'' – [[Velvet Maple]]
 *''[[Acer wilsonii]]'' – [[Wilson's Maple]]
 ==Gallery==

@@ Line 142: / Line 142: @@
 Image:Maple-oliv1.jpg|Norway Maple leaves
 Image:Maple-oliv2.jpg|Norway Maple leaves
 Image:Bi-colored Maple Tree.jpg|A bi-colored [[Bigtooth Maple]] tree
 </gallery>

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 | genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
 | subdivision_ranks = Species
-| subdivision = See [[List of Acer species|List of ''Acer'' species]]
+| subdivision =
 | range_map = Map genus Acer.png
 | range_map_width = 240px

@@ Line 99: / Line 99: @@
 ==References==
-{{reflist}}
+<references/>
 ==See also==