Box elder, Black Maple
Acer negundo

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are about 120-150 Acer species. This one can become invasive.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. A plant native to north America. It prefers well drained alkaline soils. It does best in a protected sunny position. It is frost resistant but damaged by drought. It often grows on lake shores and stream banks. It can stand occasional flooding. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. At Anvers Chocolate factory. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada (country/location of origin), Central America, Central Asia, China, East Africa, Europe, France, Greece, Guatemala, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, North America (country/location of origin), Slovenia, South America, Spain, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The sugary sap can be eaten. It is normally collected on a sunny day following a freezing night. Self sown seedling shoots are eaten. The seed are boiled and eaten after the wings have been removed. The inner bark or cambium is an emergency food.

Edible parts

Bark, sap, seeds

How it is grown

It can be grown from ripened seed. It can also be grown by grafting. Both male and female trees must be grown if seed are required.

It is a fast growing tree. Trees live for 60 years.

Its other names

Local names

Amerikanski javor, Ash-leaved Maple, Manitoba maple, Three-leaved maple

Synonyms

Acer fauriei H. Léveillé & Vaniot.; Negundo aceroides Moench.; and others