Oregon maple, Broadleaf maple
Acer macrophyllum
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 temperate plant. It needs a moderately sunny moist but well drained soil. It can tolerate some shade. It is frost resistant but sensitive to drought. It suits hardiness zones 6-8. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Canada, North America, Tasmania, USA (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The sap contains sugar and can be used as a sweetener or concentrated into a syrup by boiling. The leaves are wrapped around food to add flavour. Yellow flower clusters are sweet with nectar and can be eaten raw. Seeds are sprouted and the sprouts eaten. The seeds are occasionally eaten.
Edible parts
Sap, seeds, flowers, leaves
How it is grown
Plants are easily grown from seed. Seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours then kept cold at 0-8°C for 2-4 months to assist them to grown. Seed can be sown fresh if green seeds are used. Seed should be grown in a nursery then transplanted. Cuttings or layering can be used.
Trees live for over 200 years. Trees are tapped in spring and sap flow is better on sunny days after a frost.
Its other names
Local names
Bigleaf Maple, Torote