black maple Aceraceae Acer nigrum Michx. f. symbol: ACNI5 Leaf: Opposite, simple and palmately veined, 3 to 6 inches long, 3 (occasionally 5) lobed with entire margin, often wilted-looking, large stipules may be present, with pubescence on the underside. Flower: Yellow to green, small, clustered, hanging from a long (1 to 3 inch) stem, appearing with the leaves. Fruit: Two-winged horseshoe-shaped samaras about 1 inch long, appearing in clusters, matures in autumn. Twig: Brown, slender to moderate and shiny with lighter lenticels, may be gray pubescent, especially near the terminal buds. Terminal buds brown (may be pubescent), plump, and very sharp pointed. Bark: Variable, but generally dark gray-brown to black; older trees may be furrowed with long, thick, irregular ridges or scaly. Form: Medium to tall tree (to 100 feet) with very dense elliptical crown. Looks like: sugar maple - Florida maple - Norway maple - bigleaf maple Additional Range Information: Acer nigrum is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting black maple. External Links: USDAFS Silvics of North America USDA Plants Database