FLOWERS.—May-June, before or with the leaves; dioecious; large, yellow-green, in erect, short, flat racemes; sepals 5; petals 5; stamens 8.
FRUIT.—Ripens in autumn and germinates the following spring; pendent on long stalks; large, glabrous, paired samaras, with wings 2 inches long, diverging by nearly 180°.
WINTER-BUDS.—Yellow-green, red or dull red-brown; terminal bud about 1/4 inch long, broad, short-stalked, with bud-scales strongly keeled; lateral buds small, appressed; buds exuding a milky juice when cut.
BARK.—Twigs lustrous, light brown to greenish; trunk dark gray, becoming closely fissured, not scaly.
WOOD.—Moderately heavy, hard, close-grained, whitish or brownish, with white sapwood.
NOTES.—Exotic from Europe. Extensively planted in cities for its abundant shade. The roots strike deep and spread laterally, enabling the tree to hold its own in a city environment. It holds its leaves two weeks longer in autumn than do our native maples. A rapid grower.
Sycamore Maple