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Rocky Mountain Maple (Acer glabrum)

Acer glabrum, commonly known as Rocky Mountain maple, is a versatile maple species native to western North America.

Scientific Name: Acer glabrum Torr.
Common Names: Rocky Mountain maple, Douglas maple, Sierra maple, Mountain maple, Dwarf maple, New Mexico maple.
Family: Aceraceae (Maple Family), now sometimes classified under Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family)
Order: Sapindales (Maple / Sumac / Creosotebush)
Subclass: Rosidae
Synonyms: Acer glabrum var. glabrum (syn. subsp. glabrum), Acer glabrum var. diffusum, Acer tripartitum Nutt.
Symbol: ACGL

Native to western North America, from Alaska south to Northern California, east to Idaho and the Rocky Mountains.
Found in the Southern Sierras.
Grows on wetlands, stream banks, and slopes.
Typically found at elevations from 4,500 to 10,000 feet (1650 - 3000 meters).
Prefers moist soils, especially along canyons and mountain slopes in coniferous forests.

Commonly occurs as an understory species in a variety of coniferous forest types, as well as in upland deciduous and riparian forests.
Important species for foraging animals such as moose, deer, elk, and bighorn sheep.
Browsed by mule deer.

Deciduous tree or multi-stemmed shrub.
Typically a small, rather delicate-looking tree or shrub.
Can grow to be about 3 m tall as a shrub or up to 9 m (29ft 6in) as a tree.
May reach 15 to 30 feet in height.
Can be single-trunked or multi-stemmed.
Rounded twigs with opposite, ascending to erect branches.
Leaves are opposite, simple or compound, palmate with three lobes, and dark green.
Reddish twigs with opposite branches.
3–5 lobed, typical maple leaves.
Flowers are 0.3 in (0.8 cm) wide, and early spring flowers are very fragrant. Male and female flowers can occur on separate plants.
2 tan-colored, winged seeds joined at the base in a V-shape.
Smooth, grayish-purple bark.
Fall color is yellow to orange-red.

Reported by the Lewis and Clark Expedition at the Lemhi River on 13 Aug 1805.
Although much Rocky Mountain maples are native to western North America, most people associate syrup with the maple tree.

Important food source for foraging animals like moose, deer, elk, and bighorn sheep.
Browsed by mule deer, which can affect its size.