Family: Sapindaceae
Author: Pursh
Bibliography: Fl. Amer. Sept. 1: 267 (1813)
Year: 1813
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Acer
Vegetable: False
Observations: Alaska to California
Description
The Pacific maple, scientifically known as Acer macrophyllum, is a magnificent tree species native to the western regions of North America, found from the southern reaches of Alaska down to sunny California. Distinguished by its broad, intricate leaves, the Pacific maple has carved out a unique niche within diverse ecosystems, flourishing in both coastal and inland habitats.
Acer macrophyllum belongs to the Sapindaceae family, a large and varied family of flowering plants that includes other well-known trees and shrubs. The Pacific maple stands out with its exceptionally large leaves—often measuring up to a foot across—hence the specific epithet “macrophyllum,” which means “large-leaved.” These leaves are typically palmate with five deeply cleft lobes, presenting a lush, vibrant green canopy during the growing season and turning shades of gold and yellow in the fall, making it a visually striking presence in forests and landscapes alike.
The botanical heritage of the Pacific maple was first officially recorded by Frederick Traugott Pursh in his publication, “Flora Americae Septentrionalis,” in 1813. This early documentation highlighted the tree’s distinctiveness and notable characteristics, securing its place in the annals of North American botanical history.
Pacific maples thrive in moist, rich soils and are commonly found along riverbanks and in valley bottoms where they benefit from ample water supply. They play a crucial role in their ecosystems, providing habitat and food sources for various wildlife species. In addition to their ecological importance, these trees are also valued for their hard, durable wood, which is used in furniture making and woodworking.
Throughout their range, from the cooler northern climes of Alaska to the warmer, diverse environments of California, Pacific maples adapt to a variety of environmental conditions. Their resilience and beauty make them a cherished symbol of the Pacific coastal forests, celebrated by both nature enthusiasts and botanists alike.
In summary, the Pacific maple, or Acer macrophyllum, is much more than just a tree. It is a testament to the rich botanical diversity found along the western coast of North America and continues to be a subject of study and admiration for its grandeur and ecological significance.
Common Names
Eng: big-leaf maple, bigleaf maple, oregon maple, pacific maple, big-leaved maple, broad-leaved maple, canyon maple
Deu: oregon-ahorn
Swe: jättelönn
Fra: érable à grandes feuilles
En: Pacific maple, Big-leaf maple, Oregon maple, Bigleaf maple, British Columbia maple, Broadleaf maple, Big-leaved maple, Broad-leaved maple, Canyon maple
Ar: قيقب ضخم الأوراق
Eu: Oregongo astigarra
Bg: Едролистен явор
Zh: 大葉楓
Et: Suurelehine vaher
Fi: Oregoninvaahtera
Fr: Érable à grandes feuilles
De: Großblättriger Ahorn, Oregon-Ahorn
He: אדר גדול-עלים
Hu: Oregoni juhar
Is: Ilmhlynur
No: Oregonlønn
Fa: افرای درشتبرگ
Pl: Klon wielkolistny
Ru: Клён крупнолистный
Sv: Jättelönn
Synonyms
- Acer flabellatum (Greene)
- Acer macrophyllum f. rubrum (A.E.Murray)
- Acer leptodactylon (Greene)
- Acer coptophyllum (Greene)
- Acer murrayanum (Dippel)
- Acer macrophyllum var. normalis (Kuntze)
- Acer macrophyllum f. rubrifolium (A.E.Murray)
- Acer macrophyllum f. kimballiae ((Sudw. ex E.Harrar) A.E.Murray)
- Acer hemionitis (Greene)
- Acer macrophyllum var. kimballiae (Sudw. ex E.Harrar)
- Acer auritum (Greene)
- Acer macrophyllum var. brevialatum (Kuntze)
- Acer dactylophyllum (Greene)
- Acer macrophyllum var. imbricatum (Kuntze)
- Acer speciosum (Vogel)
- Acer stellatum (Greene)
- Acer politum (Greene)
- Acer platypterum (Greene)
- Acer macrophyllum f. tricolor (Schwer.)
- Acer macrophyllum f. angustialatum (Schwer.)
- Acer macrophyllum f. imbricatum ((Kuntze) Schwer.)
- Acer macrophyllum subsp. kimballiae ((Sudw. ex E.Harrar) A.E.Murray)
- Acer palmatum (Raf.)
Distribution
- Alaska (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- California (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Washington (native)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Jan 20, 2015 by EOL − podiceps (cc-by-nc)
Taken May 9, 2022 by Anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 5, 2022 by Christina Gargiullo-Silva (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 7, 2022 by Matthew Wicker (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2015 by EOL − Ken-ichi Ueda (cc-by-nc)
Leaf
Taken Aug 11, 2019 by Malise Malise (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 3, 2016 by EOL − catchang (cc-by-nc)
Taken Oct 4, 2022 by Daniel Latendresse (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 18, 2019 by Ferguson Emily (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 26, 2019 by Dylan Mittag (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 22, 2008 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken May 9, 2022 by Anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Henry Xu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 1, 1998 by EOL − Charles Webber (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Peter Stevens from Seattle (cc-by)
Bark
Taken Mar 28, 2022 by Zeta Lay (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 15, 2021 by brad fossen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 15, 2021 by brad fossen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 15, 2021 by brad fossen (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 9, 2022 by Anna (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Apr 20, 2022 by B Rian (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 29, 2020 by jacksun (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 29, 2020 by Régine Pappalardo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 29, 2019 by Mark Robinson (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 29, 2019 by Mark Robinson (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 13, 2019 by Wilhelm Rogmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 1, 2022 by Chris P (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 22, 2020 by Cayce Jo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 19, 2020 by mari hall (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − WVU Herbarium (cc-by-nc-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3189835)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:317376-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Acer macrophyllum Pursh)
Specifications
Growth form: Single Stem
Growth habit: Tree
Growth rate: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.2
Ph minimum: 4.8