The Ohio buckeye (Æsculus glabra) is a shrub or low tree found west of the Alleghanies. Its terminal bud is frequently lacking, and the two upper lateral buds grow large and take its place. Its buds and stems resemble those of the horsechestnut, but the two species would never be confused.
Enlarged longitudinal section of the bud of a horsechestnut, showing two folded, undeveloped leaves and an undeveloped spike of flowers.
Chapter III
THE MAPLES
1. Sugar Maple. 2. Silver Maple. 3. Red Maple. 4. Moosewood. 5. Mountain Maple. 6. Norway Maple. 7. Sycamore. 8 A and B. Ash-leaved Maple, showing the varying color of the stems.
Chapter III
THE MAPLES
Family Aceraceæ
Maples have long been famous for beauty of blossom in the early spring, and richness of foliage in the late summer and autumn; but a study of the twigs and buds after the leaves have fallen, the varying colors of buds and stems, the delicacy of twigs and branches, and grace of outline as trees demonstrates effectively the unusual beauty of the maples in winter.
The family name Acer comes from the Latin word for sharp, which was originally derived from ac, a Celtic word meaning a point. The name was given to this genus because the wood was much sought after in ancient times for the heads of pikes and lances.