Native and naturalized plants
Native and naturalized plants of the Carolinas and Georgia, eastern Tennessee and northern Florida

15
Weakley's Flora ( 4/7/08 ): Sapindaceae
Acer saccharinum

SYNONYMOUS WITH
PLANTS National Database: Aceraceae
Acer saccharinum

SYNONYMOUS WITH
Vascular Flora of the Carolinas (1968): Aceraceae
115-01-005
Acer saccharinum

Common Name:
Silver Maple, Soft Maple

Tree
Perennial
Deciduous
Polygamous

Native to the Carolinas & Georgia
Uncommon (south of NC, more often an escape from cultivation than a native)
Documented growing wild in GA NC SC

Look for it in bottomlands, on riverbanks, and disturbed areas, per Weakley's Flora



To see a detailed map, click here.
(This takes a few moments. Please be patient!)

...Wet ...Moist ...Dry

Leaves:
Simple
Opposite

Flower:
Spring
Yellow/Rose
Radially symmetrical

Fruit:
Spring/Summer
Schizocarp composed of two 1-seeded samaras

To learn more about this plant, look it up in a good book!
Landscaping with Native Trees p041
Trees of the Southeastern US p089
Woody Plants of the Blue Ridge p14




Click picture for larger image.

image of Acer saccharinum, image of Acer saccharinum
JK Marlow      jkm0504c_17


April
Greenville County SC
Roadside

 

image of Acer saccharinum, image of Acer saccharinum
JK Marlow      jkm0405r_33


May
Greenville County SC
Roadside

 

image of Acer saccharinum, image of Acer saccharinum
JK Marlow      s040517_d


May
Greenville County SC
Roadside

The middle lobe of most leaves narrows towards its base, per Trees of the Southeastern US.

 

image of Acer saccharinum, image of Acer saccharinum
JK Marlow      s040517_e


May
Greenville County SC
Roadside

Silvery undersides of the leaves are obvious in windy conditions, per Weakley's Flora.

 

image of Acer saccharinum, image of Acer saccharinum
JK Marlow      s041204_a


December
Greenville County SC
Roadside

 

image of Acer saccharinum, image of Acer saccharinum
JK Marlow      s041204_b


December
Greenville County SC
Roadside

 

"Nature never did betray the heart that loved her." — William Wordsworth