Norway Maple
Acer platanoides
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.
Where it is found
It is a cool temperate plant. It does best in well-drained alkaline soil. It is frost resistant but sensitive to drought. It is tolerant of city smoke and dust. It suits hardiness zones 4-8. At Anvers Chocolate factory. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Albania, Australia, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Central Asia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Europe (country/location of origin), Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North America, Norway, Poland, Russia, Scandinavia, Slovenia, Sweden, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA
How it is used for food
The sap can be eaten fresh or made into beer. The cambium is chewed especially by children. The young and mature fruit are chewed especially by children. The young leaf buds are fermented to make a soup. The leaves are put under baking bread to impart flavour.
The sweet pulp and fruit are especially eaten by children.
Edible parts
Sap, cambium, fruit, buds, flowers
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.
It is fast growing.
Its other names
Local names
Bijeli javor, Jawor, Klava, Klevas, Klion, Klyon, Ostrolistni javor, Spisslonn, Vahor, Yavor