Acer circinatum

Vine maple
Vine maple leaves and flowers
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Acer
Section: Acer sect. Palmata
Series: Acer ser. Palmata
Species:
A. circinatum
Binomial name
Acer circinatum
Natural range
Synonyms[2]
  • Acer macounii Greene
  • Acer modocense Greene
  • Acer virgatum Raf.

Acer circinatum, or vine maple, is a species of maple native to northwestern North America. Vine maple typically grows as a low-elevation coastal tree in temperate areas of high precipitation such as the west coast of Oregon and northern California, as well as the temperate rainforests of Washington and British Columbia.[3] Vine maples play an important role in conserving the biodiversity of lowland ecosystems by enriching upper soil layers and providing habitat for other organisms.[4][5][6]

An example of a vine maple with many stems growing from the root ball. Vine maples are epiphyte hotspots, as demonstrated by the moss-covered branches of this specimen.
  1. ^ Barstow, M.; Crowley, D.; Rivers, M.C. (2017). "Acer circinatum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T193533A2242484. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T193533A2242484.en. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Acer circinatum Pursh — The Plant List". www.theplantlist.org.
  3. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "​Acer circinatum​". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  4. ^ "Western Washington: Plants for Birds Vine Maple Acer circinatum" (PDF). Eastside Audubon. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Whitney, Stephen (1985). Western Forests (The Audubon Society Nature Guides). New York: Knopf. p. 392. ISBN 0-394-73127-1.
  6. ^ Ruchty, Andrea; Rosso, Abbey L.; McCune, Bruce (June 2001). "Changes in Epiphyte Communities as the Shrub, Acer circinatum, Develops and Ages". The Bryologist. 104 (2): 274–281. doi:10.1639/0007-2745(2001)104[0274:CIECAT]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0007-2745.