SafePlants

Acer negundo: Box Elder and Its Many Names

Acer negundo, a species of maple native to North America, is known by a variety of common names, reflecting its widespread distribution and variable characteristics. These include:

• Box Elder
• Boxelder Maple
• Ash-leaved Maple
• Maple Ash
• Ashleaf Maple
• Manitoba Maple
• California Boxelder
• Western Boxelder

In Spanish, it is sometimes referred to as Arce or Fresno De Guajuco.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Acer negundo L.
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Variety: Acer negundo var. californicum (Torr. & A. Gray) Sarg.
• Subspecies: Acer negundo subsp. californicum
• Synonyms: Negundo aceroides, N. fraxinifolia

Distribution and Habitat

Acer negundo is widely distributed across North America. In California, it thrives in:

• The Central Valley, along the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers
• The interior valleys of the Coast Range
• The western Sierra Nevada mountains

It is also common in the eastern and central United States.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

Acer negundo is a deciduous tree that typically reaches heights of 30 to 50 feet. The California Box Elder is noted as a fast grower. Key features include:

• Leaves that are shallowly lobed, light green, and have a velvety texture
• Leaves turn yellow in the fall
• Fruits that are crimson when young and white when mature (Acer negundo var. californicum)

Considerations for Pets

• This tree attracts boxelder bugs, which may invade homes in the fall.

Considerations for Children

• The wood of the Boxelder is light, soft, and weak.

Ecological Role

The western boxelder bug (Boisea rubrolineata) commonly feeds on Acer negundo. These bugs may become a nuisance by entering homes, particularly in the fall in California.

Quirky Facts

• Despite often being considered a "trash tree," Box Elder is reported to produce a sweet syrup.
• The fruits of the Acer negundo var. californicum are crimson when young and white when mature.

Further Information

For more information, consult the following resources:

• UC Home and Landscape Guidelines for Control of Boxelder Bug (University of California Statewide IPM Program)
• CalPhotos (image database at the University of California, Berkeley)
• Saint Mary's College of California