Flower ID: IMG_0270.JPG-04-20-2024 Flower name (scientific): Acer negundo Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) AY-ser neg-UN-doh Flower name (common): Boxelder Other common names: Boxelder Maple, Manitoba Maple, Ash-leaved Maple, Box Elder. Family name (common): Soapberry Family name (scientific): Sapindaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Latin name for maple. Also Latin meaning sharp, either a reference to its use in making spears or to the leaf shape. Specific epithet: The Sanskrit word nirgundi was used for the species Vitex negundo and might be the source for the specific epithet for that shrub as well as for Acer negundo. Common name origin: From its resemblance to the elder Sambucus species. The soft wood of this tree was employed for making boxes. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.3 inches (5 to 8 mm) Petal count: 0 (no petals), with 5 sepals (male flowers); 0 petals and 3 to 5 sepals (female flowers). Color: yellow to green or yellow-green (male flowers); the anthers of the stamens are initially red or reddish brown. Female flowers are greenish-red. Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: This is a dioecious species with male and female flowers on separate trees. Size: 360 to 720 inches (9 to 18 m) Stem hairy: Young branches are mostly smooth. Other: Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is compound. Size: Leaflets are up to 10 cm long and up to about 6 cm wide. Color: Upper leaf surface medium green, while the lower leaf surface is paler in color. Hairy: Upper surface hairless, the lower leaf surface either hairless or slightly pubescent. Other: Shape: leaf, pinnate, bipinnate, typically 3 to 5 (with 7 uncommon) leaflets, leaflet shape is variable; ovate, lanceolate, lance-elliptic, elliptic, oval or oblong; tips sharp-pointed. Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): April to May Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Forests, woodland margins, thickets, streambanks, moist, semi shade to sun. Fruit: Samara (winged seeds) are up to 4 to 5 cm long and may persist on the tree over winter. The color of the samara are green turning brown at maturity. Seed: Nutlets convex and glabrous. Importance to wildlife: A number of foraging birds visit this tree species (Gabbe et al., 2002). The bees Andrena imitatrix and Andrena forbesii have been recorded visiting this species (Krombein et al., pp. 1828, 1835, 1979). Similar species (if any): In bloom, no close lookalikes. Ethnobotany: The Meskwaki used the inner bark of this tree to prepare an emetic (Smith, p. 200, 1928). The Ojibwe utilized the inner bark to prepare an emetic. They also used the sap to prepare a beverage (Smith, pp. 353, 394, 1932). Latitude: 44.795212 Longitude: -91.496067 Altitude: 261.80 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): The IPNI lists seven homotypic synonyms for this speciess. Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Acer negundo subsp. negundo (The other infraspecifics are Acer negundo var. arizonicum Sargent, Acer negundo var. californicum (Torrey & A. Gray) Sargent, Acer negundo var. interior (Britton) Sargent, Acer negundo subsp. mexicanum (de Candolle) Wesmael, Acer negundo var. texanum Pax, Acer negundo var. violaceum (Booth ex Loudon) H. Jaeger. These six infraspecifics are found in North America.) Wetland Status (NC): FAC Wetland Status (MW): FAC