The Maple Family
(Aceraceae)
Family Description
As you would expect, this family includes Maple trees, but it also contains Sycamore.
They all have leaves growing opposite each other and their flowers are often greenish or yellowish. Their fruits are always seed carriers, with two wings.
From the Maple Family, you can now explore:
Sycamore
Acer pseudoplatanus
The Sycamore is a large deciduous tree. It has smooth grey bark, which flakes when it gets old.
It can grow up to 30 metres high.
The tree was introduced to Britain, probably by the Romans.
Woods, fields and hedgerows.
Stream sides and coastal areas.
Sycamore is probably the most adaptable tree species occuring in Britain, able to live in most habitats. Young Sycamores often grow in profusion in deciduous woodland shade, eventually dominating any habitat and replacing longer-standing native trees.
Many conservationists dislike this species because of its success at the expense of native tree species.
Special features
Large leaves, with 5-toothed lobes. The leaves are shiny and green above and and paler below.
The flowers are yellowish green and hang downwards in dangling clumps.
Reproduction
Sycamore is pollinated mainly by bees.
The fruit produces a two-winged structure each containing a seed.
This double-wing spins through the air like helicopter blades, enabling the seeds to be carried some distance from the parent tree.
Distribution
Seasonal
April to May.
Geographical
Throughout Britain.
In Kent, the flowers of the Sycamore are known as "locks-and-keys".
Field Maple
Acer campestre
This is a small tree, which sometimes grows as a bush in hedgerows.
The wood has attractive patterns in it and it has often been used to make bowls and furniture.
The stems contain a sugary sap - and in the Sugar Maples of North America (relatives of the Field Maple), this sap is collected for syrup.
Common in woods and hedgerows.
Also found in fields.
Prefers chalky soils.
Special features
The leaves of the Field Maple are like Sycamore leaves, but smaller and with more rounded lobes.
The top-side of the leaves are dark green and the undersides are paler and hairy.
Pale grey rough bark.
The twigs are covered with soft hair.
The greenish male and female flowers point upwards.
Pollinated by various small insects.
The winged fruits are carried away in the wind.
Seasonal
The flowers appear in April and May.
The leaves turn bright red and yellow in the autumn.
Geographical
Southeast England and the Midlands.
The Maple was used in ancient times to make harps.
In Berkshire, archaeologists found a Saxon harp made of Maple.
