Carolina Red Maple (Acer rubrum var. trilobum)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Sapindales>Aceraceae>Acer rubrum L. var. trilobum Torr. & Gray ex K. Koch

Carolina Red Maple is a common tree of wet habitats in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont of North Carolina. It differs from var. rubrum, which is more common in uplands, in having smaller leaves that usually have 3 instead of 5 lobes and are more rounded at the base.

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

The leaf undersides are glaucous (whitened).

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

Nearly hairless leaf underside.

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

	Orange Co., NC 4/20/03.
	The samaras are a brilliant red when they're young, later turning tan. Scotland Co., NC 4/20/05.
	Staminate (male) flowers. The flowers have a delicate sweet fragrance. Moore Co., NC 3/14/07.
	Detail of staminate flowers. Moore Co., NC 3/14/07.
	Bark of a medium-sized tree. Orange Co., NC 4/20/03.

Bark of a small tree.

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

Carolina Red Maple (Acer rubrum var. trilobum) bark

Bark of a large tree.

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

More information:
NC State Fact Sheet
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
Silvics Manual
Virginia Tech Dendrology