red maple

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• maple
• red maple
• scarlet maple
• soft maple
• swamp maple

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rufacer rubrum
• Acer rubrum subsp. semiorbiculatum
• Acer rubrum var. stenocarpum
• Acer rubrum f. viride
• Acer rubrum subsp. tomentosum
• Acer rubrum f. tomentosum
• Acer rubrum var. tomentosum
• Acer rubrum subsp. microphyllum
• Acer rubrum var. sanguineum
• Acer rubrum f. columnare
• Acer rubrum f. pallidiflorum
• Acer rubrum f. clausum
• Acer rubrum f. globosum
• Acer rubrum var. virginianum
• Acer fulgens
• Acer glaucum
• Acer hypoleucum
• Acer splendens
• Acer coccineum
• Acer wagneri
• Acer rubrum f. rotundata
• Acer rubrum var. intermedium
• Acer rubrum var. pallidum
• Acer rubrum f. sanguineum
• Acer rubrum f. semiorbiculatum
• Acer rubrum var. pendulum
• Acer rubrum f. breviramusculum
• Acer rubrum f. palmatum
• Acer rubrum var. clausum
• Acer rubrum f. microphyllum
• Acer rubrum var. coccineum
• Acer rubrum var. latifolium
• Acer rubrum var. columnare
• Acer rubrum f. pendulum
• Acer rubrum f. wagneri
• Acer rubrum var. viride
• Acer rubrum var. globosum
• Acer rubrum var. pallidiflorum
• Acer rubrum var. rubrocarpum
• Acer rubrum f. schlesingeri
• Acer semiorbiculatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales and the family Sapindaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Acer.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging geographical distribution that spans across several continents and diverse climates. In Northern Europe, its presence can be observed within the landscapes of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is commonly found throughout Germany and Poland. Its range continues eastward into the territories of Central European Russia. Finally, the distribution extends across the Atlantic to include Western Canada, specifically within British Columbia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Acer rubrum is characterized by its broad adaptability and preference for specific moisture-rich environments. Native to the Atlantic coast of North America, this species naturally thrives in hydric habitats, frequently colonizing marshes and growing along the edges of riverbanks where soil moisture is consistently high. Beyond its native range, the plant has been successfully introduced and cultivated within the European Part of the USSR, demonstrating a capacity to adapt to diverse geographic regions provided its fundamental ecological requirements are met.

Habitat :

cultivated in the European Part of the USSR, native to the Atlantic coast of N. America where it grows in marshes and at riverbanks

Life history

The life history of Acer rubrum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in forest ecosystems for many decades through continuous seasonal growth cycles. The lifecycle begins with the germination of seeds, typically dispersed by wind, which then undergo a period of establishment where they develop a robust root system to support long-term survival. As a perennial, the plant undergoes annual patterns of bud development, leaf expansion, and flowering, often responding to environmental cues such as temperature and moisture availability to regulate its growth stages. Throughout its extended lifespan, it transitions from a sapling into a mature canopy tree, contributing to the structural complexity of its habitat through repeated cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive efforts.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Acer rubrum is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. This species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, exhibiting neither aquatic nor epiphytic tendencies, and it exists as an independent organism without parasitic behavior. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of 25 m, with a mean plant height of approximately 24.52 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

24.52 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Acer rubrum is defined by its specialized metabolic and structural adaptations to diverse temperate environments. As a plant utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway, its carbon fixation process relies on the enzyme RuBisCO to incorporate atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into a three-carbon molecule within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic strategy necessitates a high degree of stomatal regulation to balance the intake of CO2 with the prevention of excessive transpiration, a critical factor given the species' high water requirements. Its physiological efficiency is closely tied to its ability to manage light interception and gas exchange across varying canopy densities. Furthermore, the plant exhibits significant physiological plasticity in response to seasonal shifts, managing nutrient cycling and osmotic adjustments to endure fluctuations in temperature and moisture availability, which supports its wide ecological distribution.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Acer rubrum is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and specialized seed dispersal mechanisms. The flowering period is relatively concentrated, with the flowering time typically starting and ending in April. Once the reproductive cycle progresses to seed production, the resulting seeds exhibit a specific mass profile; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.0199320625 g, with individual seeds ranging from a minimum of 0.01393 g to a maximum of 0.0768 g. To facilitate the spread of the next generation, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind currents to transport its lightweight seeds away from the parent plant.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Seed mass max:

0.0768 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0199320625 g

Seed mass min:

0.01393 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Acer rubrum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include GINNALIN A.

GINNALIN A

1. Food & function

Activities

Acer rubrum has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.

Antidiabetic

1. Food & function

Antioxidant

1. Food & function

Medicinal Uses

Acer rubrum has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include advanced glycation end-products, antidiabetic, colon cancer.

Most Reported Uses