| Plants of the Forest | |||
| Common Name: | Big Leaved Maple | Scientific Name: | Acer macrophyllum |
| Blooms: | March - May | Native: | Yes. Native of riparian areas on the West Coast |
| Special Comments: | Big leaved maples are hard to miss. Their 3 to 5-lobed leaves are large. You can see them full-leaved in the summer months near Pourroy's Picnic Table along Aptos Creek. In late September, their leaves turn a gorgeous deep yellow-gold, and then fall off the trees within the next month.
The Big leaved maple is often seen in the redwood forest growing near year-round creeks or in moist areas. The bark of mature big-leaved maples appears striated when you get a closer look. (Click on the picture below to see bark striations). The shoots of the big leave maple were used by the Ohlone to make baskets. |
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