Vine Maple
Acer Circinatum
Vine maple is an angiosperm and a dicotyledon because it has single leaves rather then bunches.
Descrition
Maple leaves are star shaped with 5-8 points on each leaf. Each tree may have different sized leaves yet they are all still the same tree. Depending on the setting, the vine maple can grow anywhere from 10-15 feet tall, 25 feet if it is in an open area.
Vine Maple Seed
Formed like a fin used to glide the seed safely to the ground. Seed is stationed at the tip of the of the fin.
Vine Maple Cone
Needles of cone are spaced apart. each needle has a spike on the tip.
Vine Maple Flower
Thin petals at the base followed by thicker ones. Needles like plant parts coming out of the middle of the flower. each needle has a brown tip.
Ethnobotany
Native Americans used to grind up the vine maple leaves and use them as medicine.
The branches of the vine maple was used for making structures for fishing nets, baby cradles and frames for hand drums.
The branches of the vine maple was used for making structures for fishing nets, baby cradles and frames for hand drums.
Water Needs
The vine maple can live off very little water because their roots dig so far into the ground they can just get it from the soil.
Native Location
Vine maple is native to the Northwest. it's habitat is bottoms of canyons and both eastern and western slopes of the cascades. It can also be found as far north as Alaska and as far south as northern California. it also ranges from the eastern cascades to the Pacific Coast.