Acer negundo, also known as the box elder, is a species of
maple in the family
Sapindaceae, native to North America. It is a fast-growing, short-lived tree with opposite, ash-like compound leaves. It is sometimes considered a weedy or
invasive species, and has been
naturalized throughout much of the world. It grows up to 10 to 25 metres (35 to 80 feet) tall, with a trunk diameter of 30 to 50 centimetres (12 to 20 inches). Male and female flowers appear on separate plants, with flowers on male plants generally appearing in clusters of four and flowers on female plants appearing as a
raceme. These flowers of a female
A. negundo plant were photographed in
Keila, Estonia.
Photograph credit: Ivar Leidus