FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:
Twigs glossy green with white lenticels.
Description: Small to medium deciduous tree, reaching 25 m.
Leaves: Opposite, pinnately compound with an odd number (3 to 9) of leaflets, although 3 and 5 leaflets most common. Leaflets mostly ovate and toothed, and 5 to 10 cm long and 6 cm wide.
Flowers/Fruit: Fruits are paired light yellow or tan samaras, 3 cm long. Flowers March/April; fruits May to October.
Habit and Range: Floodplains, stream banks, low woods of brownwater streams, throughout North Carolina.
COMMON CONFUSIONS:
Acer negundo (boxelder) leaves are easily confused with Toxicodendron radicans (eastern poison ivy). Look for more than 3 leaflets, distinctive green woody twigs, and opposite branching in Acer negundo, which is never a climbing vine like Toxicodendron radicans. Toxicodendron radicans also has flowers and berries, unlike Acer negundo.
Click here to view Toxicodendron radicans.
Link to side-by-side comparisons page
