Field maple (Acer campestre, Sp. Pl.: 1055 (1753))

Family: Sapindaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1055 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Acer

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Iran, NW. Africa

Description

The Field Maple, scientifically known as Acer campestre, is a deciduous tree that is cherished for its adaptability and gentle beauty. First described in Carl Linnaeus’s seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this tree has a storied history and a robust presence across various parts of the world.

Native to Europe, the Field Maple extends its reach to regions of Iran and northwest Africa, reflecting its remarkable resilience and versatility in different climates. It thrives in a variety of soil types and is commonly found in hedgerows, mixed woodlands, and urban environments, where it is often planted as an ornamental tree due to its attractive foliage and manageable size.

The Field Maple is a member of the Sapindaceae family, which includes a variety of trees and shrubs known for their vibrant autumn colors and distinctive seed pods. This species typically grows to a height of 15-25 meters and features a dense, rounded crown. The leaves are characteristically five-lobed and exhibit a smooth, dark green appearance in the summer, turning to rich, golden-yellow hues in the fall, adding a splash of color to the landscape as the seasons change.

In addition to its aesthetic qualities, Acer campestre serves important ecological roles. It provides habitat and food for a range of wildlife, including insects that pollinate its small, greenish-yellow flowers, which appear in spring. The tree’s seeds, contained in distinctive samaras with winged pairs, are a food source for birds and small mammals.

Field Maple wood is valued for its fine grain and is used in furniture making, veneer, and occasionally for musical instruments. Additionally, its hard-wearing nature makes it suitable for crafting durable items such as tool handles and flooring.

The tree is also noted for its cultural significance and historical use. Throughout history, it has been used in traditional medicine and folklore remedies. In landscapes, it is often employed as a windbreak or in soil stabilization projects due to its sturdy root system.

Overall, the Field Maple is a wonderful addition to gardens and parks, offering not only beauty and visual interest throughout the year but also contributing to the biodiversity and ecological health of the areas where it is planted.

Common Names

Deu: feld-ahorn, feldahorn, maßholder
Eng: field maple, hedge maple
Swe: fliksäfferot, nålkörvel, säfferot, vingloka, naverlönn, niverävaahtera
Fin: hirvenputki, kampasarjaputki, niverävaahtera
Dan: hjorterod, jomfrukam, navr, naur
Nor: hjorterot, venuskam, naur
Lav: lauku klava
Nob: naverlønn
Nno: naverlønn
Nld: spaanse aak
Fra: érable champêtre
Cym: cynhowlen, gwenwialen, gwiniolwydd, gwiniowlen, gwinolen, masarn bach, masarn lleiaf, masarnen fach, masarnen leiaf, masarnwydd lleiaf
En: Field maple, Hedge maple, Common Maple, English Maple
Ar: قيقب حقلي
An: Azirón blanco
Hy: Թխկի դաշտային
Az: Çöl ağcaqayını
Eu: Astigar arrunt
Be: Клён палявы
Bs: Klen
Bg: Невярно Maple
Ca: Arracader, Arrugat, Auró blanc, Oró, Orió, Auró arrugat
Ce: Къахк
Zh: 栓皮槭
Hr: Klen
Cs: Javor babyka
Da: Navr, Hjorterod, Jomfrukam, Naur
Nl: Spaanse aak, Veldesdoorn
Eo: Kampa acero
Et: Põldvaher
Fi: Niverävaahtera, Hirvenputki, Kampasarjaputki
Fr: Érable champêtre, Acéraille, Auzerole, Azeraille, Bois de poule, Bois-chaud, Petit Érable
Gl: Pradairo campestre
De: Maßholder, Feldahorn, Feld-Ahorn, Heckenahorn
Hu: Mezei juhar
Is: Hagahlynur
It: Acero oppio, Chioppo, Loppio, Testuccio, Acero campestre
Lv: Lauku kļava, Lauku klava
Lt: Trakinis klevas
Lb: Maasselter
Mk: Клен
No: Naverlønn, Hjorterot, Venuskam, Naur
Nb: Naverlønn
Nn: Naverlønn
Oc: Aseron, Auceròl, Auceral, Auseral, Agast
Os: Уисхъæд
Fa: افرای پرچین
Pl: Klon polny
Pt: Acer menor
Ro: Jugastru
Rm: Ischi champester
Ru: Klen polevoj, Клён полевой
Sr: Клен
Sk: Javor poľný
Es: Acirón, Arce, Arce común, Maklen, Arce menor, Arrugat, Moscon
Sv: Naverlönn, Fliksäfferot, Nålkörvel, Säfferot, Vingloka, Niverävaahtera
Zh-tw: 栓皮槭
Tr: Ova akçaağacı
Uk: Клен польовий
Wa: Doyåve
Cy: Masarnen Fach, Cynhowlen, Gwenwialen, Gwiniolwydd, Gwiniowlen, Gwinolen, Masarn Bach, Masarn Lleiaf, Masarnen Leiaf, Masarnwydd Lleiaf

Synonyms

• Acer campestre var. hebercarpum (DC.)
• Acer campestre var. microphyllum (Pérez Lara)
• Euacer campestre ((L.) Opiz)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• California (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Jun 6, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2021 by seb Fievet (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 10, 2019 by Werner Rom (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 15, 2021 by Decobert Didier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2021 by seb Fievet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 15, 2021 by Decobert Didier (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2019 by jid (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 15, 2021 by Astrid Rdt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 15, 2021 by Astrid Rdt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2019 by victor melese (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 9, 2022 by Andoni Zorrilla (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2017 by Gerard Voiland (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2020 by uso (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2019 by Werner Rom (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 30, 2020 by wuffi wuffi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2019 by Franco Colnago (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2010 by EOL − Phil Sellens (cc-by)

Taken Apr 21, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Michel POURCHET (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Other

Taken Jul 7, 2021 by Belén Sánchez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2021 by Jeff B (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2018 by Juan I Deán (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2010 by Tela Botanica − null null (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3189863)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:781250-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Acer campestre L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Tree, Shrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 5